Jiribam, May 7 : Even though the Jiribam tea factory established two decades back could not survive, the raw tea leaves from the Jiribam Tea Estate are feeding a tea factory in Assam.
Interestingly, even though the state`s own factory was shut down by the authorities of the Manipur government who were unable to generate income, a good income is being earned from the estate by a section of people.
Though the concerned officials of the estate blamed lack of security protection behind the death of the factory, locals and the ground situation tells a different story.
Analysis at the estate indicates that it has enough potential for producing raw tea leaves for feeding the factory as the tea plants are growing well and are being maintained. Apparently though, the plants are being maintained only for the vested interest of earning a good income by some individuals.
Whatever it may be, the big question that arising while visiting the estate is why the factory cannot run with profit as the factory itself is conveniently located within the estate where the basic raw material (tea leaves) for running the factory is available.
Regarding the harvesting of raw tea leaves, some local men revealed that, “We are used as labourers on engagement by some people for harvesting the tea leaves at Rs. 2 per kg.” The local man who was reluctant to disclose his name added that they sold the raw leaves to a factory in Assam at Rs. 7 per kg.
A large portion of the estate was burnt down by a fire around two months back. It was reported that local men who owned the land before it was taken for the tea plantation burnt it down for jhum cultivation.
They wanted to take over the land again as the authorities have failed to keep their assurances given at the time of taking over the land for plantation.
Interaction with some villagers revealed that the estate was taken by the state authorities with a promise to give them jobs after developing it as a tea estate.
“But for a such a long time, they (officials) are earning income from the raw leaves and we are starving with no income,” they said.
However, authorities have started fresh tea plantation in the area after turning out the villagers who attempted to take over the land again.
The tea plantation on commercial basis started from 1982 at Manipur Tea Estate at Jiribam, a border town of Manipur connecting Cachar district of Assam. The plantation covered an area of about 300 hectares of land against the target of 425 hectares.
The Manipur Plantation Crops Corporation (MPCC), a state government undertaking established in 1981 took up tea plantation on commercial basis. The tea garden started selling green leaves to Jirighat Tea Estate in Assam from 1985 at the rate of Rs 1.75 per kg but prices of finished tea for every kg of green leaves fetched Rs 7.
The Manipur government took up the construction of the tea factory at Jiribam Tea Estate with an annual production capacity of three lakh kgs of processed tea in 1996. Construction work on this project, which will cost approximately Rs. 206 lakhs, started during the year 1996.
The Manipur Plantation Crops Corporation took up the construction of tea factory at Jiribam based Manipur Tea Estate on a turnkey basis in three phases to produce around three lakh kgs of finished tea in the first phase and six lakh kgs in second phase and 10 lakh kgs of finished product per annum in the final phase when 425 hectares were fully brought under plantation. On completion of the construction the corporation incurred an expenditure of Rs. 178 lakhs.
The factory also targeted to meet 26 per cent of the state`s demand for tea in Manipur.
But soon after the commissioning of the factory, contrary to the targeted production and profit, the income generated by the factory could not meet the salaries of the employees and maintenance far exceeded the income of the tea estate. The annual deficit worked out to about Rs. 50.72 lakhs.
Since 2000-01 the Manipur government declared that the estate had not been able to generate any income and government considered privatization of the estate. But till date the government has not taken any decision.
Regarding the matter, current agriculture minister N Loken said, “There is no question of privatization of the factory or the estate.”
The government has decided to revive the factory again and after reviving the same, whether it will be privatized or will be run by the government will be considered, he said.
The same statement has been made several times by various ministers of agriculture. But this time, “I will try at my best level to revive this most promising factory of the state,” said the minister.
IFP
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