West Bengal Government Allows E-auction of Tea Amid Coronavirus Lockdown
State Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha issued an order allowing the e-auction. The order said that e-auction should be held after observing social distancing norms and other guidelines in the wake of the coronavirus spread.
A tea garden worker plucks tea leaves inside a tea estate in West Bengal. (Photo: Reuters)
The West Bengal government on Tuesday allowed the tea industry to conduct e-auction amid the lockdown, but in strict adherence to social distancing norms and other guidelines in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic.
State Chief Secretary Rajiva Sinha issued an order allowing the e-auction. The order said that e-auction should be held after observing social distancing norms and other guidelines in the wake of the coronavirus spread.
The Secretary of Calcutta Tea Traders Association (CTTA), J Kalyansundaram, said, "We welcome the decision." "We had requested the government to allow the conduct of e-auction in tea after the lockdown came into effect," he said. The last e-auction was held on March 17, he said.
The CTTA conducts e-auction in Kolkata. Kalyansundaram said the government's letter has been forwarded to the sale sub-committee for preparing the future sales programmes. The government had earlier allowed plucking of tea in the gardens with 25 per cent of the workforce.
Support the daily wage earners who have been hit the hardest by the COVID-19 crisis. Click here to contribute to the cause. #IndiaGives
The daily News18 Coronavirus COVID-19 newsletter - Get your copy here.
Subscribe to News18 Daybreak. Follow us on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, Telegram, TikTok and on YouTube
First Anniversary Offer: Subscribe to Moneycontrol PRO’s annual plan for ₹1/- per day for the first year and claim exclusive benefits worth ₹20,000. Coupon code: PRO365