Kolkata, March 5 (NationPress) Union Minister of State for Commerce and Industry, Jitin Prasada, announced on Thursday that the central government is set to introduce a comprehensive package aimed at revitalizing tea gardens in north Bengal. His comments came following a visit to tea gardens in Jalpaiguri earlier that day.

"Our visit to north Bengal is focused on understanding the pressing challenges faced by the tea industry. We are engaged in discussions about how to tackle these issues and improve conditions for workers. The Tea Board, which operates under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, is actively involved in exploring ways to enhance tea exports. There is a significant demand for tea domestically, and we are also looking into how quality improvements can elevate export potential. The tea sector remains our utmost priority," stated the Minister.

MoS Prasada further elaborated: "The tea industry is currently grappling with changing weather patterns, leading to complications such as waterlogging in new plantations and workforce-related challenges. We are in the process of developing a comprehensive package for the tea sector, and we encourage cooperation from the state government. We remain optimistic about the future.

It is important to highlight that the tea industry is the predominant industry in north Bengal. Nevertheless, it has been experiencing a downturn due to various factors, including climatic challenges. Tea garden proprietors have been urging the central government for intervention to rejuvenate the sector.

On Thursday, Jitin Prasada toured the Denguajhar tea garden in Jalpaiguri district, accompanied by officials from the Tea Board.

During his visit, tea garden owners guided the Union Minister through the tea processing unit, where he was informed about the diverse tea varieties produced and the quality standards upheld at the estate.

Jitin Prasada embarked on his political journey in 2001 as the general secretary of the Indian Youth Congress. He made his first Lok Sabha entry in 2004, representing Shahjahanpur in Uttar Pradesh, his home constituency, during the 14th Lok Sabha.

In April 2008, he was appointed as Minister of State for Steel, making him one of the youngest members of the Union Council of Ministers at that time.

Following the delimitation that rendered the Shahjahanpur seat obsolete, he contested from Dhaurahra in the 2009 Lok Sabha elections, securing his position in Parliament once again.

In Parliament, he participated in the Committee on Petitions and the Committee on Information Technology, in addition to being part of the consultative committees for the Ministries of Civil Aviation and Steel.

Prior to the 2021 West Bengal Assembly elections, he was designated the party's in-charge for the state by Congress.

On June 9, 2021, Prasada switched allegiance to the BJP. He was re-elected to the Lok Sabha from the Pilibhit constituency in Uttar Pradesh during the 2024 general elections.