Dibrugarh, Apr 29: The Tea Board of India has officially discontinued operations at the Jorhat Tea Auction Centre (JTAC), triggering strong backlash from growers and industry stakeholders who warn of serious logistical and economic consequences for Assam’s tea sector.
The closure, effective April 1, 2026, follows a March 26 circular issued by Samaresh Mondal, Controller of Licensing (In-charge), citing a shift towards a unified, pan-India digital auction system. The Board said the move is aimed at ensuring regulatory uniformity and streamlining oversight through a new web-based platform operating on a Build, Own, and Operate (BOO) model.
However, the decision has been criticised as abrupt and lacking consultation. Industry players argue that JTAC was not only functional but growing—handling nearly four million kg of tea last year—making it Assam’s second-largest auction centre after Guwahati.
Launched in May 2020, the Jorhat Tea Auction Centre had quickly emerged as a crucial marketplace for Upper Assam, where a significant share of the state’s tea is produced. Its closure is expected to force many growers and buyers to shift operations to Guwahati, increasing transportation costs and logistical challenges.
Stakeholders maintain that auction infrastructure decisions must reflect ground realities such as production clusters and accessibility, rather than purely administrative considerations. Many are now urging the Tea Board to review the decision, warning that centralisation could disadvantage smaller growers and disrupt established trade networks.
The Board has directed all sellers and buyers to transition to the pan-India auction system under the provisions of the Tea (Marketing) Control Order, 2003, even as discontent continues to simmer across Assam’s tea industry.
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