Stakeholders of tea industry in Bengal breathed a sigh of relief on Friday as chief minister Mamata Banerjee announced that the sector could engage its entire workforce from June 1. After the nationwide lockdown had come into effect from March 24, plucking of leaves and other activities completely stopped in the tea industry. In April, the Centre announced a waiver for the tea industry and allowed engagement of half of the workforce. Sumit Ghosh, secretary, Tea Association of India, Terai branch, said: It is good that the state has finally allowed us to engage the entire workforce from June 1. There has been a rise in tea prices at auctions and if this trend continues, it would benefit the industry in the coming months,” the planter said.

Source: The Telegraph May 29, 2020 23:26 UTC