The Public Interest- Bureaucracy Knows Best

, how a Situation could arise when in spite, of a record production of 560 million kg during 1977 up by 48 million kg over the previous year's figure there is still not enough tea around, especially the CTC varieties. Exports have not been excessive : between April and December 1977 only 194 million kg were shipped, and during January-March too they were not heavy. It has been pleaded that smuggling across the western border and exports to Afghanistan (which take place under the exchange permit system and so do not come under the licensing rules) have been very large. Yet even assuming that 20 million kg have gone out through these channels during 1977, there should be at least 28 million kg tea here. The yearly incremental consumption cannot be more than 20 million kg; in fact, it is likely to be lower. Then where has the tea gone? Those who claim there has been no hoarding have no answer to this question.