Tea to be declared national drink: Montek

PTI :JORHAT (ASSAM), APR 21: 2012

The Planning Commission Deputy Chairman, Mr Montek Singh Ahluwalia on Saturday said tea would be declared as national drink by April next year.

“The drink would be accorded national drink status by April 17 next year to coincide with the 212th birth anniversary of first Assamese tea planter and Sepoy Mutiny leader Maniram Dewan,” Mr Ahluwalia said while addressing the Platinum Jubilee celebrations of the Assam Tea Planters Association here.

It was Maniram Dewan who was not only the first indigenous tea planter but also involved in the national movement, he said.

“The other important reason is that half of the tea industry labour comprises women and is the largest employer in the organised sector,” Mr Ahluwalia added.

He said India is the largest producer and consumer of black tea in the world. Mr Ahluwalia urged tea planters and producers to emulate the path of coffee planters and go in for producing more varieties.