Agartala, Mar 14: Tripura is all set to get its first Tea e-Auction Centre; Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha laid the foundation stone of the project at Gurkhabasti area, Agartala on Thursday.

He said, the Tea e-Auction Centre will largely benefit the tea growers of the state and take Tripura tea to new heights.

The Chief Minister said that the state government is mulling to introduce a course on tea in the Tripura University.

"The Tea e-Auction Centre is a leap towards the development of the tea industry in Tripura. It will largely benefit the tea growers of the State and take Tripura tea to new heights in line with the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. In this initiative, tea garden owners will get an opportunity to sell tea leaves easily. Besides, tea producers will also get a fair price," the Chief Minister said.

He mentioned that there was a time when Tripura tea had no recognition.

"Logos with tea brands have been introduced in the state since the present state government came to power. With the positive initiative of the state government, the price of tea in the state is increasing. The first tea garden of the state was established at Hiracherra in Kailashahar. Currently, tea is being cultivated in an area of 12,800 hectares across the state, with 54 tea gardens. However, at one time, the state's tea industry was on the verge of collapse. Due to the concerted efforts of the present state government, tea in the state has regained its status," he said.

He noted that previously, tea sellers had to go outside to sell tea in the state. If this tea auction center is established, the sale and purchase of tea can be completed within the state, eliminating transportation costs.

The Chief Minister also expressed hope that Tripura tea will pave the way for economic growth in the state.

Minister for Industries and Commerce Santana Chakma, Mayor of Agartala Municipal Corporation Dipak Majumder, Chairman of Tripura Tea Development Corporation Ltd. Samir Ranjan Ghosh, Secretary to Industries and Commerce Department Kiran Gitte, Director Vishwashree B. among others were present.