1. The proposed area for uprooting and replanting should be currently under regular plucking and shall not fall under the category of "abandoned tea areas" (i.e. Tea Areas not under plucking for the past three years).



2. Where the average yield of the area applied for replanting is abnormally low ( say less than 800 kg/ha) the reasons for such low productivity needs to be ascertained by causing an investigation of the area by the Scientists of TRA/UPASI-TRF. Suitability certificates specific to such sections issued by TRA/UPASI TRF should be attached along with the application.



3. The applicants should use only the approved planting materials. The list of approved planting materials for different tea growing regions of the country is appended as Annexure-2.



4. The plant population should not be less than 10,000 plants per hectare in the replanted /replacement planting area subject to limitation of topography.



5. Prior to replanting/replacement planting adequate steps have to be taken for land preparation, soil rehabilitation, proper drainage etc as per the guidelines given by TRA/UPASI TRF.



6. Zero/minimum tillage replanting and progressive replanting with zero/minimum tillage are permissible in respect of tea estates in hilly areas.



7. For Replacement planting in virgin soil, planting permit should be obtained from the Board's Licensing branch.



8. Where there is a dearth of suitable virgin lands, re-use of the areas that have been uprooted against previous replacement planting applications are permitted, for fresh planting under current application provided such area has been properly rehabilitated for at least 2/3 years and found to be suitable for planting and the same being certified by TRA/UPASI-TRF. For allowing such areas for re-use, there shall not be any pending claim of subsidy on account of any of the previous applications submitted to Tea Board.



9. In the case of applications for replanting, after completion of uprooting, the uprooted area should be rehabilitated with an approved rehabilitation crop for a period of not less than 18 months in case of gardens in plains and not less than 12 months in case of gardens in the hills. List of approved rehabilitation crop and shade trees is appended as Annexure-3.



10. Replanting in all cases shall be completed within 36 months from the date of completion of uprooting. However, shorter or longer period of rehabilitation may be allowed provided a request in writing is made by the applicant in this regard prior to commencement of replanting accompanied with a specific recommendation from TRA/UPASI-TRF.



11. Prior to commencement of replanting, the soil should be physically and chemically suitable for planting. The applicants are therefore, advised to get the soil analyzed from any one of the approved Soil Testing Laboratories and the chemical soil analytical report should be submitted to Tea Board at the time of post planting inspection, for verification. The list of approved Soil Testing Laboratories, where the applicants could get their soil analyzed in addition to TRA-UPASI-TRF, is appended as Annexure-4.



12. On completion of replanting / replacement planting, as the case may be in the approved area, the applicant should get the planted area surveyed by Govt. approved Surveyors or Patwari or Karnam or Mondal (Village Revenue Officer) drawn to a scale 16" a mile. In the case of North Bengal, Bihar & Sikkim, the applicant tea gardens may avail the services of Surveyors empanelled with Tea Board. The current list of such approved surveyors is appended in Annexure-5.



13. The post replanting/replacement planting / uprooting survey map, as the case may be, should accompany the following particulars:


1. Period of survey

2. Year of field operation

3. Nature of activities

4. Date of issue and issue number of the map

5. Signature & seal of the Surveyor

6. Section number with actual areas in ha., covered under replanting / replacement planting/uprooting as the case may be as well as area covered under drains, roads, hullas etc.


14. In case the applicant tea garden has availed subsidy for several years and the activities carried out in the same section part by part over a period of time, a copy of sectional map demarcating the extent of areas applied for and subsidy for the areas already availed of may be submitted at the time of pre-approval inspection or 1st post planting inspection for confirmation to the effect that there was no overlapping of the areas.