Tabac Frets Over Impact Of Darjeeling Tea Trademark

The Tea Auction Buyers' Association of Calcutta (Tabac) has expressed its concern over the negative impact of the certified trademark for Darjeeling tea on the producers, exporters, local dealers among others.

In a letter to Tea Board chairman S S Ahuja, Tabac said that the method in which the scheme was launched and sought to be imposed has caused immense indignation. The Tea Board did not consult with the various parties concerned. It should have been discussed at a trade forum and with CTTA and Tabac.

A meeting was held yesterday in Calcutta, where about forty exporters expressed their views on the matter. "It has been generally felt by them that the procedure contemplated is extremely bureaucratic, cumbersome and invasive. A fear that confidential information being sought could leak and be misused has not been well accepted," Tabac stated.

 

According to the manual that has been circulated, it appeared that the cost of administering this scheme would be charged to the packers or producers on a per kg basis of tea traded or produced. This could lead to unprecedented and unbudgeted costs to the business, which it can ill afford.

According to Tabac, small dealers of Darjeeling tea which collectively forms a significant chunk would come under severe financial pressure.

On the other hand, many of the larger dealers who are already recognised by the government as export houses or trading houses or star trading houses, feel the methods suggested to implement

this scheme would cause aspersions to the integrity of their business.

Tabac has recommended that most of the mandatory provisions and bureaucracy be replaced with enabling provisions. The Tea Board should not require the proposed paperwork and formalities, but should reserve the right under CTM to take action against individual companies wherever bring misuse to the trademark to their notice.