AMN
Darjeeling tea estates are bracing for a loss of up to 30% of their crop in 2018 because of the 104-day strike to carve out Gorkhaland out of West Bengal, according a report in LiveMint.
Due to the disruption, the 87 estates in Darjeeling have in the current year lost at least 70% of their crop, the combined value of which is estimated at Rs400-500 crore.
The strike was withdrawn on Wednesday after the Centre agreed to intervene to resolve the standoff between the Gorkhas and the West Bengal government over the demand for a separate state of Gorkhaland. Because of Durga Puja celebrations, tea estates have not yet reopened, but initial estimates suggest that production will not start until 7-8 months later.