The Union commerce ministry has set up a directorate exclusively to look after the welfare of small tea growers. The directorate, approved by the Planning Commission, will soon start functioning under the aegis of the Tea Board.

“This is a very important imperative for the welfare of small tea growers. It is important to look after the interests of small growers, in our approach to inclusive growth,” said Jyotiraditya Scindia, minister of state for commerce, here on Friday. The Planning Commission has sanctioned 50 posts for the directorate. It will have a central office and many regional offices in states, he told reporters on the sidelines of the 119th annual conference of the United Planters’ Association of South India (Upasi).