Wages for tea garden workers in the state may soon be revised upward, as the state government and tea garden owners continue discussions aimed at improving conditions for the workforce.

Tripura, a traditional tea-growing state with plantations dating back to 1916, is currently the fifth-largest tea producer in India, following West Bengal, Assam, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala. The state’s annual made tea production has ranged between 8 to 9 million kilograms in recent years, accounting for around 10% of India’s total made tea output.

Tea from Tripura fetches an average auction price of about Rs. 200 per kilogram and is also distributed through ration shops in some parts of the state.

Known for its good quality, Tripura tea has gained recognition in both domestic and regional markets.

On Monday, Labour Minister Tinku Roy chaired a high-level meeting with tea garden owners to discuss the industry's development, long-term strategies, and workers' welfare. 

Roy confirmed that discussions on a possible wage hike are ongoing, though a final decision is still pending.

“We’ve held several rounds of talks over the past few months involving the labour department, tea garden owners, and workers. A committee headed by MLA Swapna Das Paul was also constituted to review the matter. In today’s meeting, we assessed the committee's findings, and plans are underway to enhance the wages of tea garden workers,” the minister said.

Currently, tea garden workers in Tripura earn Rs. 176 per day. After the BJP came to power in 2018, wages were first raised from Rs. 105 to Rs. 173, and later marginally increased to the present rate.