Guwahati, April 17 -- Four leading tea producers' associations from Assam and West Bengal have urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to withdraw or modify rules mandating that at least 50% of annual tea production be sold through public auctions.

In a joint representation, the associations called for greater flexibility, arguing that producers should be allowed to choose the mode of sale based on prevailing market conditions. They contended that the existing provision places tea producers at a disadvantage by increasing transaction costs and extending sales cycles compared to ex-factory transactions.

The signatories-the Assam Bought Leaf Tea Manufacturers Association, North Eastern Tea Association, Bharatiya Cha Parishad, and North Bengal ...