A quiet yet meaningful celebration marked a historic moment for Tripura as the state officially joined the global observance of International Tea Day for the first time. Organized by Tripura Tea Development Corporation Limited at the Old Secretariat Complex in Agartala, the programme highlighted the growing importance of Tripura’s tea sector and the government’s renewed focus on worker welfare and industrial expansion.
Addressing the gathering, Labour Minister Tinku Roy extended greetings to tea workers, growers, and tea enthusiasts across the state. He praised the contribution of thousands of labourers who have sustained Tripura’s tea industry for more than a century. According to the minister, tea represents not only an agricultural commodity but also a cultural bridge connecting communities, traditions, and economies.
Roy said the present government has undertaken several initiatives to improve the living conditions of tea workers. These measures include providing land ownership pattas and priority ration cards to families associated with tea gardens for generations. He stated that the aim is to ensure dignity, stability, and long-term security for workers who form the backbone of the industry.
During the programme, Samir Ranjan Ghosh highlighted Tripura’s growing prominence in India’s tea sector. He noted that the state currently ranks as the fifth-largest tea-producing state in the country and supports nearly 28,000 workers directly engaged in tea cultivation and production.
Ghosh also announced the upcoming Gurkhabasti Tea Auction Centre in Agartala, a development expected to significantly boost the local tea economy. Once operational, Tripura will become the eighth state in India to host a tea auction hub. The facility is expected to reduce transportation expenses for growers, promote competitive bidding, and shorten the sales cycle by nearly 40 percent. To encourage traders and buyers, the corporation plans to provide a transport subsidy of Rs 4 per kilogram.
He further elaborated on welfare initiatives under the Mukhyamantri Cha Sramik Unnayan Prakalp. Under the scheme, daily wages of tea workers have increased from Rs 176 to Rs 204. Workers are also receiving benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, along with improved access to ration cards, LPG connections, drinking water, and electricity.
To strengthen the identity of locally produced tea, the corporation has launched the Tripureswari Tea brand. New sales centres are being opened across different regions to expand market access, stabilize tea prices, and promote Tripura-grown products among consumers.
The event also witnessed the presence of Manika Das Dutta and several dignitaries. Cultural elements blended with economic discussions throughout the programme, reflecting the state’s ambition to transform its tea industry into a stronger economic driver while preserving its historical and cultural roots.
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With its first-ever International Tea Day celebration, Tripura has signaled a broader vision for the future of its tea sector — one focused on worker welfare, market expansion, and global recognition.
