Chinmoy Dhar, the chairman of the Dooars branch of the Tea Association of India, said: 'It is unfortunate that the Dalgaon management decided on their own. Their decision would mount pressure on us and affect the bargaining power of the planters during the talks'
As the meeting failed, the Darjeeling Tea Association (DTA), which represents the hill gardens, sent a letter to the district magistrate of Darjeeling. In the letter, they mentioned that the tea gardens can, at best, offer a bonus at the statutory rate as per the bonus act, that is, 8.33 per cent
Although the tea planters had expressed satisfaction that the Bharat system was going to be set aside as it had led to lower price realisations since April when the system was introduced, they desperately wanted the two auctions in September and October to be held anyhow for their cash requirements