Efforts under way to reopen 12 tea gardens: Nirmala Sitharaman

NEW DELHI: The government today said 12 tea gardens are reported to be closed in the country at present.

Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in a written reply to the Rajya Sabha said the condition of tea gardens is being monitored regularly by the central government through the Tea Board to facilitate reopening of the closed gardens.

The government has requested states to provide benefits of social and economic development and welfare schemes of central and state governments to all tea-growing areas.

"At present, 12 tea gardens are reported to be closed in the country," she said, adding that the states concerned have been taking steps for their revival.

Ten gardens are shut in West Bengal and two in Kerala.