A new chapter has begun in the development of Tripura’s tea industry with the
establishment of the state’s first Tea Auction Centre. The centre is expected to open new
employment opportunities and accelerate the socio-economic development of nearly 2,800
families associated with the tea industry in the state. Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha said
this while inaugurating the Tea Auction Centre at Nehru Complex in Gorkhabasti today. He said
that the state government had taken special initiatives in 2023 to take Tripura’s tea industry to the
national and international levels. As a result of these efforts, the state’s first Tea Auction Centre
has become operational. Following the inauguration, the Chief Minister visited various sections of
the centre, including the tea-testing section and tea gallery. He also formally launched the tea
auction programme.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi had
emphasised the importance of dreaming big to serve and improve the welfare of people. He added
that such dreams could be realised through sincere, transparent and dedicated efforts. The state
government has been undertaking various development initiatives with this objective, creating
new opportunities for educated unemployed youth as well as farmers to improve their socioeconomic conditions. The Chief Minister stated that Tripura’s soil and climatic conditions are
highly suitable for tea cultivation. However, he said that adequate practical initiatives had not been
taken in the past to develop the industry. With the establishment of the new auction centre, the
growth of the state’s tea industry is expected to gain further momentum.
He informed that Tripura currently has 54 tea gardens producing approximately one crore
kilograms of tea annually, while tea leaves are processed in 23 factories. Tripura currently ranks
second among the northeastern states in tea production. The Chief Minister also stressed the
need for innovative branding, promotion and marketing strategies to expand the reach of Tripura
tea. He pointed out that tea produced in the state was previously auctioned in Kolkata and
Guwahati, increasing the expenses of local tea producers. The establishment of the auction
centre in Tripura will help address this long-standing problem and bring significant changes to the
e-auction process. To encourage buyers from Kolkata and Guwahati to participate in auctions at
the Agartala Tea Auction Centre, special transportation subsidies will be provided to participating
buyers, helping reduce their expenses.
He further said that the centre would facilitate better coordination between small and large
tea producers, creating new opportunities for the expansion of the industry. The state government
aims to develop the Agartala Tea Auction Centre into the leading tea auction centre in Northeast
India and increase demand for Tripura tea. The government is also pursuing a long-term objective
of doubling the state’s tea exports to international markets.
The Chief Minister said that collective efforts were essential to building a new Tripura with
improved socio-economic conditions. During the programme, he felicitated Bangladesh Assistant
High Commissioner Albasar Hasan and other auction participants. Industry and Commerce
Minister Santana Chakma, who attended the programme as the guest of honour, said that the
Department of Industries and Commerce had been undertaking various initiatives to promote
industrial development in the state. She said the government aimed to encourage more educated
young people to establish industries, with the tea sector being one of the important areas of focus.
She added that the Agartala Tea Auction Centre would play a significant role in strengthening the
state’s own-source revenue in the future.
Other speakers included Tripura Tea Development Corporation Chairman Samir Ranjan
Ghosh. Secretary of the Department of Industries and Commerce Kiran Gitte delivered the
welcome address. Among those present as special guests were Arunita Paukhan Yadav,
Regional Executive Director of the Tea Board of India for the Northeast region, and Dr. Deepak
Kumar, Director of the Department of Industries and Commerce. Tripura Tea Development
Corporation Managing Director Rajesh Kumar Das delivered the vote of thanks.
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