Darjeeling Tea Association Seeks West Bengal CM's Help Amid Industrial LPG Shortage

The Darjeeling Tea Association has appealed to West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee to address a severe industrial LPG shortage threatening tea estate operations in the Darjeeling hills. The crisis, linked to a March 5 Ministry of Petroleum order prioritizing domestic LPG consumers, risks halting production at tea gardens employing 55,000 workers. The association highlighted the impact on premium tea exports and noted that HPCL deferred supply decisions to the state’s Department of Food and Civil Supplies.