Darjeeling: Strike on Jayshree Tea minimal

Kolkata, July 31 (SURYAA): B.K. Birla group company Jayshree Tea and Industries on Monday said the ongoing indefinite Darjeeling strike would not impact heavily on its tea business as the crop from the northern hills of Bengal contributes only a very small part of its total business.

"Darjeeling contributes three to four per cent of the tea business, so our 96 per cent of tea is safe," Managing Director D.P. Maheshwari told shareholders at the AGM here.

He said each tea workers is going to lose Rs 10,000-Rs 12,000 as there is no work-no pay arrangement due to the stir in the hills and Darjeeling tea industry has been in doldrums for last 48 days.

Maheswari said the tea company would also look for acquisition of gardens, mostly in Assam and also outside India if it fits with the company's business. 

The city-based company had posted a consolidated net profit of Rs 3.68 crore for the financial year ended March 31, 2017.