Darjeeling Orange crisis probe

1:16 PM

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Kalimpong

Writes Vivek Chhetri and Rajeev Ravidas

Darjeeling, Nov. 27: The state government has decided to investigate the recent spate of fungal infection and pest attacks on Darjeeling oranges that dropped the yield of the fruit by more than 50 per cent compared to last year.

State agricultural minister Purnendu Bose who is currently in Darjeeling said: "This is my first official visit to the hills after becoming minister. A team of scientists from Uttar Banga Krishi Visvavidyalaya will probe into the matter (the infection and pest attacks) and based on the report, we will take appropriate steps."

While 2.5 lakh quintals of oranges were produced in the hills last year, this time the yield is expected to be around 90,000 quintals.

Sources said 50 to 60 per cent of oranges in the hills were destroyed after a fungal infection and pest attacks.

Darjeeling Orange A file photo

The harvest season starts from November end and goes on till mid-January.

M.W. Moktan, a senior scientist and the in-charge of Darjeeling Krishi Vigyan Kendra, a unit of Uttar Banga Krishi Visvavidyalaya, Cooch Behar, spoke about three reasons for the spread of infection and pest attacks in the hill orchards.

"The main reason is that the farmers still practise the traditional method of farming and they are reluctant to adopt new technology. The other reason is that they do not follow proper nutritional management system, which is critical for the health of plants. Climate change, too, has affected the crops," he said.

Moktan, however, said that all was not lost and oranges could be saved if farmers took up modern methods. "Few farmers who have incorporated modern farming methods have not been affected. Disease and pest management must be done properly," he said.

Ram Prasad Sanyal, the assistant director of agriculture department, GTA, had earlier said that a spell of dry weather during the flowering season around March and April was one of the reasons for the drop in orange production.

Today, Bose said: "The agriculture department is acting as a nodal agency in bringing together departments like horticulture and fisheries. In the hills, there are seven seed farms but most are defunct. We plan to revive them. There was an agriculture fair in Kalimpong yesterday and I visited the stalls. While some farmers are trained, many are not. A building of the agriculture department in Kalimpong is lying without use. We will renovate it and start an agricultural training centre there."

Source Telegraph

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Hotel Mount Everest (Oberoi) of Darjeeling sold to B.M. Garg.

9:19 AM

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Tourism

Hospitality major EIH Limited, which runs hotels under the Oberoi and Trident brands, has sold its land and property (Hotel Mount Everest) in Darjeeling to a group of local businessmen led by B.M. Garg.

Hotel Mount Everest (Oberoi) of Darjeeling.

In its first-quarter results, EIH said it had earned Rs 11 crore from the sale and mentioned it as exceptional item. The sale helped the company to clock an over two-fold growth in profit after tax at Rs 19.86 crore against Rs 6.41 crore a year ago.

"In Darjeeling, what we have sold is primarily land and an old structure," EIH executive vice-chairman S.S. Mukherji said. The Oberoi group held around 5 acres in Darjeeling along with the property. The group had bought the hotel and land in the early 1950s, but it remained idle for over three decades after being damaged by fire. The Oberoi group either had to renovate the property or consider selling it off. Subdued demand in the hospitality sector led to the group choosing the latter option.

"Despite the recent positive aspects designed to stimulate demand, the Indian hotel industry has been facing increased supply of rooms in almost all locations across the country," executive chairman P.R.S. Oberoi told shareholders at the company's annual general meeting today.

B.M. Garg, who owns a multiplex in Darjeeling, said, "No decision has been taken yet. But, the long-term plan is to consider a hospitality project on the land."

Managed properties

P.R.S. Oberoi said the group would focus more on managing properties rather than owning them.

"At the moment, 80 per cent of the properties are owned by us," he said, adding that the ratio could change dramatically in the future.

Meanwhile, the proposed Navi Mumbai hospitality project, which is coming up on the land owned by the Reliance group, a strategic investor in EIH, is stalled on account of environment clearance. "We will start construction once the environmental clearances are in place," EIH managing director and CEO Vikram Oberoi said.

EIH is expanding its presence in the UAE and in Marrakech and Casablanca in Morocco.

Source - Telegraph

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India and Nepal cross border trade felicitation seminar to strengthen the relationship

9:41 AM

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Siliguri

To strengthen the relationship and to discuss about the issues on the cross border felicitation of export and import between India and Nepal, a seminar was organized by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) in association with Consulate General of Nepal at Siliguri last evening.

 India and Nepal cross border trade felicitation seminar 

Prabir Seal Chairman, CII North Bengal, said Cross-border trade through the Kakarivitta-Panitanki trade channel has been flourishing over the years, so has the bilateral economic ties between the two neighboring countries.

CII and FNCCI had formed the Joint Task Force in 1995 and the Task Force report suggested avenues for enhancing foreign trade not only in goods but also included services such as tourism, hydro power, education services, health services etc.

“Change for betterment begins at the grassroots and CII North Bengal in synchronization with the Consulate of Nepal and the support of relevant authorities can facilitate a more robust and vibrant trade relation between India and Nepal aiming at mutual benefits,” he added.

Chandra Kumar Ghimire, Consul General of Nepal, said certain items Nepal has been exporting to India through Kakarvitta-Panitanki are mainly agriculture produces being grown in the eastern part of Nepal. Among the goods, major ones include high value crops such as ginger, fresh vegetables, tea, cardamom, medicinal herbs, aromatic and essential oils, seasonal fruits etc. For last couple of years, such produces need to meet certain compliance at the border point, he added.

When it comes to the border facility placed at Kakarvitta-Panitanki , Panitanki – Siliguri road is now well renovated, once imposed illicit tax over Nepal cargo has been lifted up or removed. The presence of customs’ Assistant Commissioner is available at Panitanki Customs thrice a week. Once complicated procedures required at Banglabandh-Fulbari have been simplified. Yet, some classical hitches are waiting for greater attention to sort them out. At a time when both the governments are discussing over customs modernization, traders speak of lack of lab test facility, insufficient quarantine amenities, distant bank in 7-8 Km, lower threshold allowed in the bank for businesses transaction and scanty parking facility.

Deepening integration to make it a reality for effective business, lowering the cost of doing business, Increasing clarities, transparency, traceability, avoiding red tape by standardizing technology with simplification, harmonization of documents and procedures are key for trade between the two countries to flourish, Ghimire observed.

Source: EOI

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Tea union in Darjeeling hills and Terai and Dooars declines the raise of Rs 21

8:24 AM

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Siliguri

Siliguri, June 18: Tripartite talks to raise tea workers’ wages in north Bengal today ended inconclusively after the planters’ body proposed a raise of Rs 21 over three years.

Tea workers in the hill tea garden

The wage rate, when decided, would be implemented in the Darjeeling hills as well as in plantations in the Terai and the Dooars.

At present, Darjeeling garden workers get Rs 90 a day and the Terai and Dooars hands get Rs 95.

One of the umbrella associations of unions has warned that it would call an industry-wide strike if wages were not raised according to its demand, but there is no unanimity in the strike demand.

Two rounds of tripartite talks were held on February 25 and March 22, but today was the first time the Consultative Committee of Plantation Association — the body of estate owners — proposed a revised wage, a rate which the Darjeeling Terai Dooars Plantation Labour Union called an “insult to the workers”.

The union is backed by the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha, the main party in the Darjeeling hills. The Co-ordination Committee of Tea Plantation Workers, an umbrella organisation of several garden unions, said it wanted “fair negotiations” and the planters’ proposal was “unacceptable”.

Chitta Dey, the convener of the committee, said: “On June 21 we will hold a meeting in Chulsa (in the Dooars) and might go for an industry-wide strike.” The joint labour commissioner M.D. Rizwan said the next meeting would be held in a fortnight. Today’s meeting at Uttarkanya was attended by state labour commissioner Javed Akhtar.

The new wage rate would be deemed effective from April 1 this year. Arrears would be paid to the workers for the days they did not get the revised wages since April 1.

Different unions have sought different wage rates.

Samir Roy, the convener of the Defence Committee for Plantation Workers’ Rights, one of the several umbrella groups, said it wanted a daily wage of Rs 338 for tea workers.

“The MGNREGA rate in Bengal is Rs 169 for unskilled workers. For skilled workers, it should be double, that is Rs 338 per day. We want wages at the same rate for tea workers,” Roy said.

Aloke Chakraborty, the working president of Trinamul Tea Plantation Workers’ Union, said it wanted the wages to be Rs 206 a day. The Darjeeling Terai Dooars Plantation Labour Union has also asked for the same rate.

The minimum wage rate for Bengal is Rs 206.

“We want minimum wages to be paid to tea workers. We have heard that some of the trade unions have threatened to go on strike. We would like to assert that our trade union is against strikes in the industry and would strive to keep the situation normal,” Chakraborty said.

Planters’ representatives cited adverse conditions in the industry for the Rs 21 wage raise over three years. “Our proposal was based on the realistic assessment of the industry. The crops are down because of inclement weather and there has been a rise in the cost of production,” said Prabir Bhattacharjee, secretary general of the Tea Association of India.

Source: Telegraph

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Sikkim and Darjeeling most preferred for summer vacation this year

9:16 AM

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Tourism

Sikkim and Darjeeling in the east and Ladakh in the north have emerged as the most preferred places where city residents are planning to spend their summer vacation. Although schools will close after one and a half months, people are already planning their holidays.

Sikkim and Darjeeling most preferred for summer vacation this year

In fact, low-cost tickets on most of the flights to Ladakh and Kashmir in June and July have already been sold, as per Bijender from private travel firm ‘Make my trip’.

“Anyone who wants tickets in that period will now have to pay much more. For example, the one-way fare for Leh in February and mid-March was Rs 11,500. Now, it has shot up to Rs 18,000,” said Bijender.
Other destinations favoured by city residents to get away from the summer heat are Sikkim and Darjeeling. “We have been receiving lots of enquiries for Sikkim and Darjeeling. Most of the flight seats in the months of June and July have already been booked,” said a travel agent.

For those who can’t afford high air fares, package tours still remain attractive. A five-night, six-day package for Darjeeling in the month of June is a major hit and a travel agency is offering this package for Rs 31,999, which includes accommodation, meals and transport, along with the tour escort.

But the cost of packages has also increased with increasing demand. For example, a five-night, six-day package of Munnar and Ooty, which was sold for around Rs 29,000 in the month of February, now costs Rs 35,000.

Owing to the heavy demand for some of the destinations, certain travel agencies are planning to introduce chartered fights. Among these is a travel agency in Sector 34 which is planning to start chartered flights to Leh.

Source:indianexpress

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Darjeeling tea - Fair trade but unfair wage

11:29 PM

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society

As the first flush of prized Darjeeling tea nears harvest this spring, workers on Darjeeling's fair-trade tea plantations are still waiting for a fair deal, says a University of Michigan anthropologist. 

Poor condition of Darjeeling tea under paid workers

"Darjeeling's tea industry is in the midst of what most connoisseurs and market watchers would consider to be a revival, driven in part by fair trade," said Sarah Besky, assistant professor of anthropology and natural resources and environment, who has spent years studying the lives of tea workers in this remote region of northeastern India, nestled in the Himalayan foothills. 

"But ironically, fair trade and other programs that purport to provide justice to plantation workers in the age of global 'ethical consumption' are not having much effect in providing justice to the tea pluckers, who are mainly Indian Gorkha women." 

In the US, the most-prized first-flush tea leaves—designated SFTGFOP, meaning "Super Fine Tippy Golden Flowery Orange Pekoe"—sell for more than $60 for eight ounces, when you can get them. But the field workers who pick the delicate leaves earn just over a dollar for a full day's work. 

"Women in Darjeeling are keenly aware of the irony that they produce some of the world's most expensive tea yet get paid a miniscule fraction of what this tea fetches abroad," said Besky, who lived on the tea plantations talking with workers, plantation owners and area activists for months at a time from 2007 through 2010. She is the author of "The Darjeeling Distinction: Labor and Justice on Fair-Trade Tea Plantations in India," published by the University of California Press. 

Established in the 1850s by the British, Darjeeling's "tea gardens" are now owned by Indians who continue to operate them as plantations. Workers live in houses provided by their employers and are given allowances for food and certain household necessities—all in partial payment of wages. 

"Fair-trade plantation may seem like an oxymoron," Besky said. "Plantation workers are not small farmers. They are laborers who, like peasants, live and work on land they do not own."
Besky discusses the impact of fair trade and other movements that brought Darjeeling tea plantations into the 21st-century market for geographically distinguished and ethically sourced food, and into India's multiethnic democracy. 

These movements have World Trade Organization Geographical Indication status, a distinction Darjeeling shares with famous place and food names like Scotch, Champagne, and Roquefort, and the Gorkhaland agitation, a longstanding movement to form an Indian state separate from West Bengal, to include Darjeeling, its tea plantations and its majority of Indian Nepalis, or Gorkhas. 

"There is a deep disconnect between national, global and regional calls for justice, and the lives and work of the very people in whose names those calls have gone forth. The workers are keenly aware that in the market for justice, the tea plantation is not going anywhere."

Source:timesofindia

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Darjeeling tea gets GI (Geographical Indicator) status

7:16 PM

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Darjeeling tea

Government has granted Geographical Indicator (GI) status to around 57 agricultural products such as Darjeeling tea, Pokkali rice and Dharwad Pedha in the last ten years. 

India enacted the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999, which came into effect on September 15, 2003. The GI label certifies not only the geographical origin of a product but also confirms adherence to some production standards. 

Darjeeling tea gets GI (Geographical Indicator) status

So far, 195 GIs have been registered with the GI Registry of India and of these, approximately 57 GIs are related to agriculture and manufactured food such as tea, coffee, mangoes, oranges, grapes, sweets and savoury snacks, the official said. 

Kalanamak Rice from Uttar Pradesh was given the GI status early in this financial year, the official added. 

Major farm products that enjoy GI status include: Darjeeling Tea, Kangra Tea, Coorg Orange, Mysore Betel leaf, Nanjanagud Banana, Mysore Jasmine, Navara Rice, Palakkadan Matta Rice, Malabar Pepper, Allahabad Surkha, Monsooned Malabar Arabica and Robusta Coffee, Coorg Green Cardamom, Eathomozhy Tall Coconut, Dharwad Pedha, Pokkali Rice, Laxman Bhog Mango and Naga Mircha, among others. 

Besides farm products, handcrafts and manufactured goods are also given the GI tag. Even foreign products from various countries have been accorded GI status under the Indian act. 

Some of the major foreign GIs include Peruvian Pisco, French Cognac and Champagne, American Napa Valley, Porto and Douro wines from Portugal, Mexican Tequila and Italian Parma, the official added.

Source: business-standard

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Darjeeling Industrial Potential

12:06 PM

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economy

Potential industries in Darjeeling have been categorized in three groups namely:

RESOURCE-BASED INDUSTRIES

Food Processing» Darjeeling district alone produces approximately 90,000 tonnes of Pineapple, 20,000 tonnes of Oranges, 80,000 tonnes of Tomato per annum. Besides as much as 6,00,000 nos. of Oranges per day are available in peak season from Sikkim. These huge resources of raw fruits justifies setting up of an integrated plant for producing various items like Orange Squash, Orange Marmalade, Tomato Sauce, Vinegar, Juice, Pineapple rings, Frozen fruits etc.

Floriculture» Existing production of 60 MT of flowers in Darjeeling district and 20 MT available from Sikkim can easily be exploited. Besides flower cymbidiums, cypripedium and other orchards, cactuses, bulbs, gladiolie etc., which are in huge demand, are available in abundance. Tissue culture also has tremendous prospects. 

Pharmaceuticals» Darjeeling has the potential to come up as one of the most promising area for production of phytochemical and pharmaceutical products. Apart from the present exploitation of Chnchona bank for quinine and ipecac root for emetine, the following items have been identified:

Raserpin from Rauvolfia, Contraceptive pills and hormones from Dioscorea. Cardia glycosides from Digitalis, Alkalloids from Ergot, Atropine and Scopolamine from Daturas, Lemongrass oil, Palmarosa oil , Khas Khas Oil, Citronella Oil , Vinca Rosia.

The West Bengal Photochemical and Pharmaceutical Development Corporation has already been running one profit making unit in Toralpara in Jalpaiguri. The Forest Department of West Bengal has been producing 50,000 litres of Citronella oil per annum in Sukna Distillation Plant. The medicinal plants do not need big plots of land for their cultivation. They can well grow in forest, tea gardens and in other farming lands. Ginger products manufacturing, extraction of papein from papaya are other very lucrative possibilities. Darjeeling produces nearly 4,000 tonnes of ginger per annum most of which is sent out side the district without any processing.

Wood based industries» Large forest cover with abundant supply of wood, bamboo, cane etc. provides excellent opportunity for setting up of industries for manufacture of plywood, veneer, particle board from wood dust, wooden furniture, wood charcoal, cane furniture etc. 
Sericulture» Climate of Darjeeling district id ideally suited for mulberry cultivation, which does not require larger pieces of land. Further processing of cocoons at local level will ensure high value addition thereby increasing its acceptability amongst small farmers. 

Rubber Plantation» Darjeeling district also has ideal conditions for rubber plantation. Setting up of a rubber unit having its own rubber plantation will also encourage the small farmers of surrounding area to take up this activity and sell the rubber milk to the rubber unit.
Mining» A proven reserve of lead zince deposit of 3.256 million tonne with averager metal content of 8% upto a depth of 250 mtrs. In Goroubathan may be commercially exploited after a feasibility study in this regard. 

Natural caffeine is produced from tea wastes, which can be encouraged for commercial exploitation.

Animal resource based industries» Huge cattle population in Darjeeling provides and opportunity for a systematic approach for collection and processing of milk. Hides and skins, which are easily available, can be used to promote leather industry. Handicrafts based leather products exploiting traditional expertise have ready market due to tourist traffic large urban population also provides in opportunity for promotion of other animal resource based activities like poultry, dickery, piggery, and goatery.

DEMAND BASED INDUSTRIES

In keeping with the rising demand of cheap protein, Darjeeling district has been nurturing a number of buttom and oyster mushroom farms quite successfully. These farms require a little amount of land and local entrepreneurs are quite well equipped with the technology. The industry has excellent export potential as well.

Dust free and cool regions of Darjeeling could be utilized for promotion of Electronic and Software industry. Some tea industry based Electronic appliances identified by West Bengal Electronic Industry Development Corporation are, namely, Digital Thermometer, Electronic Pressure Gauge, Electronic Hygrometer, Sequential Timber, Electronic Thermometer, Automatic Temperature Controlling system, Multiple Peripheral Controller, Moisture Meter, Automatic Weighing system, Electronic Colour sawing system, Electronic Image Processing system.

The Concept of DTP (Desk Top Publishing) which has revolutionized the printing technology the world over, has opened a whole new world of innovative designing and publishing for the people engaged in printing, writing, designing, visualizing, advertising, commercial art etc. The burgeoning urban population in Siliguri, Kurseong, Kalimpong and Darjeeling is expected to make increasing demand on such sophisticated electronic media of printing.

TV Set Assembling TV Antenna Manufacturing has already seen quite a considerable number of profit making industrial enterprises in and around Siliguri. Similar enterprises could be set up in Darjeeling, K

Bio-fertilizer units have tremendous potential in view of adverse effects of chemical fertilizers on the quality fo tea in particular and other agricultural produce in general. There is also a possibility for processing the urban waste into organic manure which shall find ready market in the tea and other plantations. Siliguri Municipal Corporation area alone produces about 200 MT of garbage daily.

Household consumables and consumer durables both can be produced at Siliguri in view of large distribution network which can be used for marketing of these products in eastern India.
As a result of growth of small and medium industry around Siliguri there is a possibility of setting up of units for manufacturing of industrial spares, consumables, lubricants, automobile spares and other such articles of replaceable nature.

SKILL BASED INDUSTRIES

The artisans of these districts create exquisite varieties of ornaments, carpets, household articles, handicrafts, and other articles, which are widely acclaimed. The traditional cottage industries also include woolen garments, and cane and bamboo work. These cottage and handicraft industries however need proper marketing support through purchase, organising of handicraft exhibitions, formation of societies and guilds etc.

TOURISM BASED INDUSTRIES

Darjeeling needs wayside resorts at places like Sukna, Mirik, Teesta, Malli, Kurseong etc. where travelers could halt for brief rest and refreshment.
Big size highway hotels, catering to corporate conference and seminars are required for attracting business travel.

The existing and proposed hotels and extend their services to the local clientele and weekend tourists through swimming pools, Golf courses, family resorts, hut clusters etc.
Organisation of craft meals, local folk cultural meets, flower shows, Himalayan Car Rally etc. at a fixed time in the year preferably in March, April and May by the resorts themselves would attract visitors from all over the country.

Conversion of depressions, marshy land etc. into shallow waters for attracting migratory birds and construction of small resorts and catering facilities around these sites will attract local parties, wedding, school children and weekend tourists.

Source:sjda.org

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European Union to drink 100% pure Darjeeling Tea; gets PGI status

3:21 PM

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Live News

KOLKATA: The year 2014 is expected to be a good one for the Darjeeling tea industry. EU is expected to pick up more tea from India as it has to offload its entire inventory of the so called 'Darjeeling tea' and start procuring 100% fresh Darjeeling tea to serve its customers. In 2011, European Commission has registered Darjeeling tea as a Protected Geographic Indication (PGI) product — the first commodity from India to get such a tag. 

In 2011, European Commission has registered Darjeeling tea
 as a Protected Geographic Indication (PGI) product —
 the first commodity from India to get such a tag.
The status indicates that the tea produced only in Darjeeling
 can be sold as Darjeeling tea in the European Union countries.

The status indicates that the tea produced only in Darjeeling can be sold as Darjeeling tea in the European Union countries. Along with this, a section of blenders selling the brew with a certain percentage of the commodity as Darjeeling tea was given a five-year time to shift to the new business. "Darjeeling tea has a shelf life of three years. 

If EU has to sell pure Darjeeling tea from 2016, it will have to start buying tea from this year. EU blenders are expected to offload their inventory this year and start buying fresh stock," said Sheo Sankar Bagaria, chairman, Darjeeling Tea Association. Till date, some blenders in the EU countries generally mix 49% of any tea with 51% of Darjeeling tea and still sell it as Darjeeling tea. 

The EU notification came into effect from November 10, 2011. However, the blenders were handed out a caveat in the sense that only those people whose products were in the market five years before October 14, 2009, could continue selling their blended product as Darjeeling tea for the next five years. At present, EU imports nearly 3-4 million kg of Darjeeling tea, which accounts for nearly 60% of Darjeeling's tea export. 

The 87-odd tea gardens in Darjeeling produce around 9 million kg of made tea annually. The EU buying this year will come as a major respite for the Darjeeling tea industry as 2013 has not been a very good year for Darjeeling tea. While quality of teas suffered due to heavy rains, a number of export orders were cancelled due to the Gorkhaland Janmukti Morcha agitation in the hills. 

Source:indiatimes

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Darjeeling tea under threat from Nepal variety

11:29 AM

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economy

The world-renowned Darjeeling tea is coming under direct threat from the variety from neighbouring Nepal as the latter has started flooding European markets. However, the Darjeeling tea industry is taking note of this possible danger and is reportedly taking adequate steps to nip the ‘expansion’ in the bud.

The renowned Darjeeling tea in one of the gardens.

According to tea industry stakeholders, the Nepal variety is being showcased as “tea from the Himalayas” across European markets.

“Darjeeling tea has been sold in European markets since ages and has a brand value there. But of late, competition is coming from an unlikely quarter - Nepal,” noted Sandeep Mukherjee, principal advisor to the Darjeeling Tea Association (DTA), an umbrella organisation of the 87 tea gardens of the Darjeeling hills.

Mukherjee warned the tea from Nepal is gaining ground in European markets and this could have an adverse impact on the export of Darjeeling tea to those markets.  

“The Nepal variety is expanding slowly in Europe even though Darjeeling tea has a stronghold in markets there. But if the rise of Nepal tea continues, the consequences could be felt in the export of Darjeeling tea,” he cautioned.

Darjeeling produces more than 9 million kg of tea annually, of which the majority is exported to Europe as well as to the US and Japan. The first and the second flush are the most sought-after products in those markets and fetch record prices.

Unfortunately, tea production in the Darjeeling hills is facing unprecedented problems such as drought, natural disasters as well as disturbances from the political perspective.

During the puja ceremony organised today by the Chamong Tea Group at Soom Tea Estate to mark the start of a fortnight’s celebrations of 25 years of the company’s existence, the DTA principal advisor said the Union government had been apprised about the threat posed by Nepal.

“Darjeeling tea is a brand like Champagne and is included as a Global Indicator (GI) to ensure its safeguard. We have written to the Union Ministry of Commerce and Trade for timely intervention,” said Mukherjee.

According to him, it is imperative that the Union government and the Darjeeling tea industry work together to educate consumers about the value of Darjeeling tea.

“Consumers are usually confused. They fail to determine the difference between Darjeeling tea and the ones from Nepal that are being sold as ‘tea from the Himalayas’, because Darjeeling also falls under the same category. We must launch programmes to educate consumers on this,” advised Mukherjee.

The Chamong Tea Group owns 14 tea gardens in the hills that alone produce 1.4 million kg of organic tea. As much as 75 per cent of the produce is exported to countries such as Germany, the UK, Japan and the US.

Gorkhaland Territorial Administration chief executive and Gorkha Janmukti Morcha president Bimal Gurung was also present at the Soom TE function, but declined to speak to the  media on the matter.

Source:EOI

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Mirik - lemon grass factory in Bunkulung Busty

10:54 AM

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mirik live news

Lemon grass cultivation has been started at Bungkulung Busty under Mirik as an alternative and sustainable farming occupation. Oil extracted from lemon grass is of high value and useful for various purposes. A factory has also been set up to extract lemon grass oil and this is providing a lucrative market for farmers and employment opportunities for rural residents.

At the lemon grass factory in Bunkulung Busty - Mirik

Bungkulung Busty resident Divya Subba and her husband Bhupesh Gangotra of Gurgaon, Haryana came from Mizoram last year with a mind to cultivate lemon grass in Bungkulung Busty. They were confident that lemon grass cultivation would offer a sustainable farming alternative to stakeholders. The couple has set up a factory and named their lemon grass farm as ‘Sewaro’, or ‘Namaste’ in the Limbu language, informs factory caretaker Pawan Subba. He further said Gangotra has leased 20 acres of land in Bungkulung for Rs9,000 per acre per year and about 15 farmers have leased out their land.

Subba went on to inform that there are nine varieties of lemon grass. ‘Swarna’ and ‘Krishna’ varieties are grown in Bungkulung, while most tea gardens grow the ‘Citralona’ variety to prepare compost manure. The ‘Swarna’ and ‘Krishna’ varieties contain high quality oil and the climatic conditions of Mirik and Bijanbari are very suitable for the cultivation of lemon grass, said the caretaker.

Lemon grass oil is used in body sprays, room fresheners, phenyl and soaps, to name a few. As the oil has the fragrance of lemon, locals use it to prepare drinks, especially for medicinal purposes. Subba said consumption of lemon grass helps avoid constipation and it also helps in warding off snakes and other poisonous insects.

Gangotra has imparted training to local farmers through an expert on lemon grass oil named Dhular Chand Mahoto from Makhum, Assam. The training programme was aimed at developing skills in cultivation, harvesting, oil extraction and preservation of products.

 Lemon grass growing in the Mirik region.

Subba said the factory was set up at a cost of Rs6 lakh. The equipment used is very simple and oil extraction is carried out through the process of condensation. He said 3 litres of oil can be extracted by boiling 600 kg of ‘first year’ grass. In the second and third years, 5 litres and 9 litres of oil can be extracted, respectively. The more mature the grass, the higher the quantity of oil extracted.

The oil from ‘first year’ grass can fetch up to Rs600-Rs 1,000 per litre, while that from more mature grass can bring in more than Rs1,000 per litre. Subba said harvesting takes place four times in a year, in June-July, September, February and March.

Lemon grass oil producing factories can be set up at a minimum cost and can prove to be a highly profitable venture for farmers here in the hills, especially in Mirik and Bijanbari.

Source:EOI

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Himalayan Florica to promote horticulture business in Darjeeling

10:47 AM

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Siliguri

Local businessman Niraj Chettri, who owns a large fruit business company named Himalayan Florica in the national capital, is now looking to initiate similar business ventures in his hometown of Darjeeling. Chettri, a resident of Lapchu in Darjeeling, will be opening a new outlet in Darjeeling in March that will sell regional agricultural and horticulture products under the brand name ‘Greengold’. He also has plans of expanding the business by opening similar outlets in Kurseong, Kalimpong, Mirik and Siliguri.

Himalayan Florica to promote horticulture business in Darjeeling

Shedding light on his business plans, Chettri said, “This is a completely commercial initiative. We will provide seedlings, materials for poly-houses and all other necessary materials required by farmers.”

Claiming the farmers will benefit immensely from the initiative, Chettri said, “We will pay farmers better prices for their produce than what they generally receive in the market. This will improve their financial standing besides multiplying total production.”

Chettri, who is into this business for more than two decades now, has also been able to expand his operations across international borders. His Himalayan Florica imports fruits and flowers from countries such as Holland, America and Italy and exports them to Qatar and other Middle-East countries besides selling them in several states within the country. Himalayan Florica is now among the major firms working in the field of agriculture and floriculture in the country.

Chettri said although he has been considering the promotion of his business in Darjeeling, the political volatility of the region had been preventing him from forging ahead. “This region has tremendous potential for floriculture, horticulture and agriculture. We, at least, want to promote two to four organic products of the region as brands of repute in the international market,” he remarked. (EOIC)

Source:EOI

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New Board of Directors Darjeeling Central Co-operative Bank to be elected

10:22 AM

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Kalimpong Live News

The new Board of Directors of Darjeeling District Central Co-operative Bank has been scheduled to be elected on February 28. Election Officials of the Co-operative bank today called a press meet at the bank office located at Rishi Road here and informed about the election date along with other election related details. Assistant Election Officer Rajen Sherpa said it is for the first time that the Board of Directors will be elected in accordance to the West Bengal Co-operative Societies Act 2011 under the directives of Co-operative Election Commission.

It has been informed the formal procedures of the election will be initiated from January 18 at the District Central Co-operative Bank’s central office in Kalimpong. The first phase of the election procedure will include nomination of delegates from the auxiliary bodies affiliated with the bank, preparation of electoral roll, objections regarding the electoral roll and hearing of the same and publication of the electoral roll.  The second phase will include filing of nominations by the candidates, nomination withdrawals and other election processes.

Stating that the performance of the Co-operative bank has been an encouraging, Rajen Sherpa claimed the bank has been able to earn notable profit. He added the bank has also set a target of lending agricultural loans worth Rs. 12 crores in the current fiscal year.

Bank’s executive officer DL Bhutia and assistant election officers Sange Kayela were also present at the press meet.

Source - EOI

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Ringtong tea plantation in Darjeeling Hills to reopen in January

9:24 AM

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economy

Darjeeling December 25, 2013: After being closed for over 17 years, the Ringtong tea plantation in Darjeeling Hills would reopen in January, official sources said. 
 

File photo of a Tea Garden in Darjeeling

The Sonada-based tea estate was locked since December 19, 1996, due to labour unrest on January 15, Joint Labour Commissioner Md. Rizwan said today after a meeting. 

A tripartite meeting, participated by owners of the tea plantation, trade union representatives and the labour department officials was held at the Joint Labour Commissioner's office in Siliguri. 

Rizwan said the New Dooars tea plantation, which had been closed on December 15, would also reopen on December 27, also due to labour unrest. 

zeenews

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Seventh Pay Commission likely to increase inflation - India Inc

10:36 PM

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Live National News

NEW DELHI: India Inc today said the Seventh Pay Commission set up today for central government employees is likely to lead to additional burden on the exchequer and increase inflation by pushing demand. 

Seventh Pay Commission likely to increase inflation

"Hefty pay hikes for the central government employees (as has been the experience of the previous pay commissions) will act as a big drain on government finances and would add to an inflationary pressure," Assocham Secretary General D S Rawat said. 

In a sop to its employees ahead of the elections, the government today announced constitution of the Commission to revise salary and pensions for about 80 lakh people. 

"The government should focus on reforms in improving the supply side economics and supply chain management because increase in income levels without adequate infrastructure and supply scenario could lead to higher inflation," President of PHD Chamber of Commerce Suman Jyoti Khaitan said. 

The recommendations of the Commission will be implemented from January 1, 2016. 

"At that point of time (Jan 2016), the exchequer will be bearing the full load of the Food Act and the other welfare schemes like NREGA - whose cost is bound to increase. Is it necessary that the governments all the time have to keep fighting the fiscal deficit issue?" Rawat said. 

The setting up of the Commission, whose recommendations will benefit about 50 lakh central government employees, including those in defence and railways, and about 30 lakh pensioners, comes ahead of the Assembly elections in 5 states including Delhi, Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh in November and the general elections next year. 

The government constitutes Pay Commission almost once in every 10 years to revise the pay scales of its employees and often these are adopted by states after some modification. 

Source : Economic Times

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Samsung pays 30 trucks 5-cent coins, $1 billion dollars, to Apple

3:08 PM

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technology news

This morning more than 30 trucks filled with 5-cent coins arrived at Apple’s headquarters in California. Initially, the security company that protects the facility said the trucks were in the wrong place, but minutes later, Tim Cook (Apple CEO) received a call from Samsung CEO explaining that they will pay $1 billion dollars for the fine recently ruled against the South Korean company in this way.

The funny part is that the signed document does not specify a single payment method, so Samsung is entitled to send the creators of the iPhone their billion dollars in the way they deem best.

This dirty but genius geek troll play is a new headache to Apple executives as they will need to put in long hours counting all that money, to check if it is all there and to try to deposit it crossing fingers to hope a bank will accept all the coins.

Lee Kun-hee, Chairman of Samsung Electronics, told the media that his company is not going to be intimidated by a group of “geeks with style” and that if they want to play dirty, they also know how to do it.

You can use your coins to buy refreshments at the little machine for life or melt the coins to make computers, that’s not my problem, I already paid them and fulfilled the law.

A total of 20 billion coins, delivery hope to finish this week.

Let’s see how Apple will respond to this.

Source: hound.net

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Manchester United record £363.2mn turnover

9:54 PM

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sports news

English football giants Manchester United announced record financial results on Wednesday after a year of rapid commercial expansion. Having added a glut of new sponsors to their portfolio over the past 12 months, the 20-time English champions saw revenues rise 29.7% to £152.5 million ($243.5 million, 182.4 million euros) for the year ending June 30, 2013.

Manchester United record £363.2mn turnover

The leap in revenues helped the club from the English northwest register a 13.4% increase in turnover to a club-record figure of £363.2 million, while debt fell 10.9% to £389.2 million.

United floated on the New York stock exchange last year, in a bid to tackle the huge debt loaded onto the club by American businessman Malcolm Glazer's takeover in 2005.

Sponsorship revenue alone in the 2012-13 period rose 44.1 5 to £90.9 million.

The club revealed that "exceptional items" costs of £6.2 million were partly due to the contracts of coaching staff members Mike Phelan, Rene Meulensteen and Eric Steele being cancelled following the departure of long-serving manager Alex Ferguson at the end of last season.

Despite the impressive figures, United moved cautiously during the close-season transfer period, waiting until the final day of the window before sanctioning a £27.5 million move for Everton midfielder Marouane Fellaini.

However, amid reports United failed with bids for a number of transfer targets, the club have moved to reassure supporters that money was made available to new manager David Moyes.

In a letter to fans, communications director Phil Townsend wrote: "The club has always backed the manager in the transfer market, as Sir Alex (Ferguson) has said on many occasions, and it will continue to do so.

"The club has demonstrated its belief in, and commitment to, David Moyes through the award of a six-year contract. Allowing him to shape the future Manchester United team is a long-term project, not an eight-week panic.

"He must be given time to assess his new squad and come to his own decisions on which players he feels will strengthen it. Additional resources were there to add to that, but it was not possible to agree with other clubs for the right players to leave.

"The key point there is that the players we buy have to be the right ones for Manchester United; not just any player."

Townsend was responding to letters sent to him by supporters concerned by reports that United had missed out with approaches for players including the Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fabregas, Spanish midfielder Thiago Alcantara, who left Barcelona for Bayern Munich, and Ander Herrera of Athletic Bilbao.

United had announced two new regional sponsorship agreements earlier on Wednesday.

They have signed five-year deals with Commercial Bank of Qatar and Emirates NBD Bank, which will become known as the club's official financial services partners in Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.

Source: hindustantimes.com

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Gold prices fall by Rs 625, silver prices steady

7:29 PM

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Live News

India : Gold prices tumbled by Rs 625 to Rs 31,100 per ten grams in Delhi on the back of sluggish demand and weak global trend. However, silver prices held steady at Rs 54,300 per kg in scattered buying from industrial units and coin makers.

Speculation that the US Federal Reserve will reduce monthly debt purchases this month pulled down gold prices globally. Gold prices in London, which is the benchmark for domestic prices, fell 0.3 per cent to $1,387.24 an ounce. Silver prices dropped by 0.3 per cent to $23.78 an ounce.

On the domestic front, gold of 99.9 and 99.5 per cent purity tumbled by Rs 625 each to Rs 31,100 and Rs 30,900 per ten grams, respectively. It had gained Rs 725 in the previous session. Sovereign held steady at Rs 25,200 per piece of eight gram.

Silver ready ruled steady at Rs 54,300 per kg while weekly-based delivery shed Rs 35 at Rs 54,895 per kg. Silver coins continued to be asked around previous level of Rs 88,000 for buying and Rs 89,000 for selling of 100 pieces.

Source : ndtv.com

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Interest rate on PF may be approved fixed at 8.5 per cent for 2013-14

1:19 PM

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India Live news

Retirement fund body Employees' Provident Fund Organisation (EPFO) is likely to announce an interest rate of 8.5 per cent on provident fund deposits for 2013-14 to its over five crore subscribers, the same as provided for last fiscal.

According to sources, the preliminary estimates indicate that the payment of 8.5 per cent rate of interest will leave no deficit for the EPFO and could rather leave some surplus for the body.

"In all likelihood, the interest rate on PF deposits for this fiscal will be fixed at 8.5 per cent," a source said.

The source further said if the interest rate is to be increased to 8.75 per cent for the current fiscal; it would result in some deficit, which might not be acceptable to the finance ministry.

The body is likely to call a meeting of its apex decision making body, the Central Board of Trustees (CBT) headed by the Labour Minister, on September 23 to approve the interest rate.

During the meeting, the trustee would reconstitute the EPFO's advisory body--Finance and Investment Committee (FIC), which recommends the rate of interest to the CBT.

After the reconstitution of CBT by EPFO in June, the other sub-committees of EPFO like FIC, were dissolved and were required to be reconstituted.

As per the practice, the EPFO would have to place the proposal before FIC after which it is considered by the CBT for taking a final call on the matter.

Once approved, the proposal is put before the Finance Ministry for its concurrence.

The source said the CBT will meet again after reconstituting FIC sometime before Diwali (which falls on November 3) to approve the rate of interest for this fiscal.

EPFO paid 8.5 per cent interest rate to its subscribers in 2012-13, which was higher than 8.25 provided in the 2011-12 fiscal.

Source : NDTV

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Darjeeling tourism sector Rs 150 crore loss, 80% booking cancelled

7:19 PM

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Live News

Darjeeling tourism sector apprehends a loss of over Rs 150 crore worth business during forthcoming festive season. Courtesy, political turmoil that is prevailing there. But more alarmingly, the situation is going to cause large scale and long term downfall in future tourist arrival, especially from the international travel market. 

"As per rough estimation, business loss is going to be worth over Rs 150 crore this festive season," said Mr. Tapas Roy, Secretary Eastern Himalayan Tour and Travel operators association. 

Around 45% of the domestic tourists visit Darjeeling during festive season from end August to Mid November while 35% arrive in pre monsoon slot from March to June. These generate almost 80% of around Rs 400 crore worth annual tourism business of the region. With around 6,500 hotel rooms, Darjeeling receives around 5 lakh domestic tourists and 50,000 foreign visitors per year- explained Mr. R Basu, veteran travel advisor and tour operator. 

According to him, over 80% of our Darjeeling sector booking for festive season has already been cancelled. Domestic tourists are shifting from Darjeeling region to Himachal Pradesh, Kashmir or even Garhwal. 

Forest based tourism destinations in Dooars region in West Bengal foothills adjoining to Darjeeling are somehow showing positive trend. But with just 1/10 thholding capacity of Darjeeling, Dooars cannot compensate this loss. Moreover, foothill region is also getting disturbed that is evident from the bomb blast on Thursday morning taking life of a policeman.

"The long term ill effects are rather more serious. UK or USA have already issued refreshed travel alert advising all their citizens to avoid traveling in Darjeeling region. These are creating serious impact," said Mr. S Sanyal, Director of a major tour operating house. 

In addition, "All our overseas business partners design, promote and market their packages well in advance. Following this last moment hazards here, we are facing lot of trouble in arranging proper alternatives for their guests. As the aftermath, these foreign operators are now designing their next year's packages without Darjeeling sector to avoid these hassles," said Mr. Sanyal. 

A hotelier from Darjeeling Mr. Partha Roy however said, "It may not go completely blank during the festival. We are still hopeful. Time is there."

Source : economictimes

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