Guwahati, Sept. 10 -- The Assam Tea Planters' Association (ATPA) - the oldest association representing the interests of ethnic tea planters in Assam- has sounded an urgent call for sweeping reforms in the tea industry.

In a press statement, Samudra P. Baruva, Chairman of ATPA, underscored the pressing need for immediate action to address the ongoing crisis affecting both large and small-scale tea growers in North India.

"The time has come for North India to make a decisive shift toward quality," Baruva stated. "Quality doesn't just mean taste-it means compliance with FSSAI (Food Safety and Standards Authority of India) standards, which is crucial for restoring credibility in the market."

Founded in 1935 by a few Indigenous tea planters...