New Delhi, Dec 12 (FN Agency) BJP MP from Assam Pabitra Margherita on Monday urged the Centre to declare ‘tea’ as the national drink of the country. Raising the matter during Zero Hour in the Upper House, Margherita said, “Almost every citizen across the country starts their day with a cup of hot tea. Tea is an integral part of our daily life. It is a part of our culture.”
“From Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Gujarat to North East, there is one ingredient which is always available in every mother’s kitchen i.e tea. Therefore, tea should be declared as the national drink,” the MP said in the Upper House. The MP also demanded a special package from the government for overall development of the tea garden workers. Claiming that there are around 50 lakh tea workers in the North Eastern state, Margherita said, “During the British rule and then in the last 70 years regime of Congress, we had lost many things. There should be a special package for the overall development of the tea garden workers.” Aprissing that in 2023, the famous Assam tea will complete 200 years, the MP said, “The people of Assam and state Government under the leadership of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma will celebrate this occasion with great enthusiasm.
Therefore, I request the Centre to extend its cooperation for promotion of tea industry of Assam and other parts, throughout the country as well as abroad.” Pointining that different types of drinks have come into the market in the name of tea, “I want to request to the government that the tea industry should not be harmed by the other ingredients that are being sold in the name of tea. Appropriate action should be taken in this regard.”