KPMG reviewing Tea Board schemes

Kolkata, Sep 16 (PTI) International consultancy firm KPMG is making an assessment of the various schemes of Tea Board and the final report would be submitted by the end of the month, Tea Board Deputy Chairperson Roshni Sen said today. "KPMG is doing an assessment to review the various schemes and has submitted the draft report. The final report will be submitted by the end of the month," Sen told reporters on the sidelines of the AGM of the Tea Association of India here. Sen said that among the various schemes which are under review are the Special Purpose Tea Fund (SPTF) and the orthodox subsidy scheme. She said that at present, Tea Board is facilitating disbursement of loans to companies at soft rates and repayment is being made by the proceeds at the auctions. The official said KPMG had suggested that instead of Tea Board distributing loans to companies, the government should give interest subsidy. On the orthodox subsidy scheme, Sen said that Tea Board had proposed for its continuation in 12th Five-Year Plan to the Planning Commission. On the Iran payments crisis, Sen said it has not resolved yet and is hurting export of orthodox tea. Sen said that e-auction process would be streamlined in consultation with the industry. Minister for Development of North-East Region P S Ghatowar said that the tea industry should not discriminate between workers of West Bengal and Assam.