TN polls 2026: Nilgiris tea farmers slam Stalin govt’s ₹2/kg subsidy scheme, say many left out

A subsidy scheme announced by the government in Tamil Nadu for small and marginal tea farmers in the Nilgiris has sparked criticism from growers, many of whom say the relief measure benefits only a limited number of farmers.  

On Tuesday, Chief Minister M. K. Stalin announced an ₹8.53 crore scheme providing a subsidy of ₹2 per kilogram on green tea leaves supplied to 15 cooperative tea factories in the district. The government said the initiative would support around 14,870 small and marginal farmers.

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However, tea growers claim the scheme excludes a large section of cultivators in the hill district. According to industry estimates, more than 70,000 tea growers in the Nilgiris are not covered under the scheme, prompting concerns that the relief is unevenly distributed.

The announcement has drawn mixed responses from members of the Tea Factories Federation Limited. While some farmers see the subsidy as short-term relief, others argue that the government should first clear long-pending dues owed by cooperative tea factories to growers.

With the Assembly elections approaching, growers say their longstanding issues — including low green leaf prices and delayed payments — continue to remain unresolved, as they seek broader policy measures to ensure fair returns for their produce.