Guwahati, May 8 (KNN) The expert committee constituted by the Assam Government discussed at length the issues relating to the tea industry of the state as well as Tocklai Tea Research Centre at Jorhat.

It was the first meeting of the Expert Committee constituted by the state Government at the initiative of Deepok Kumar Barthakur, Vice- Chairman, State Innovation and Transformation Aayog.

The committee discussed various challenges faced by the Tea Industry and Tocklai Tea Research Centre.

It also deliberated about the various modalities as to how to proceed to arrive at suitable recommendation. Since the two terms of references are independent of each other, the Committee is of the view that separate approach will have to be adopted to comprehend and analyze them suitably.

After a threadbare discussion on the relevant points, the committee has decided to first approach the Tocklai Tea Research Centre at Jorhat to get first-hand information on their problems.

It also decided to meet both station and outstation officials of the industry and tea boards from Bengal, Tripura and Kolkota.

The Committee also felt that before submission of report to the Government through SITA, Assam, it decided to meet the secretary of Industry and Commerce, Government of India and vice-chairman of NITI Aayog to apprise them of the entire situation and the probable solution.