The Siliguri Tea Auction Committee (STAC) recently marked a historic milestone, celebrating its Golden Jubilee on the 2nd and 3rd of October 2026. For fifty years, STAC has stood as a pivotal institution in India's tea trade, facilitating commerce and fostering growth within the vibrant tea-producing regions of North Bengal. To commemorate this monumental occasion, the Committee hosted a grand celebration that brought together industry stalwarts, buyers, and brokers to reflect on half a century of excellence in the tea sector. Among the distinguished guests gracing the celebrations was the Hon'ble BJP Member of Parliament for Darjeeling, Shri Raju Bista.
A central highlight of the Golden Jubilee proceedings was the felicitation of the visionary leaders who have steered the Committee through its defining decades. Among the distinguished former Chairmen honored for their exemplary service was the esteemed pioneer of Mintri Tea, Mr. K.K. Mintri.
Serving as the Chairman of STAC from 1996 to 1999, Mr. Mintri’s tenure was marked by dedicated leadership and a forward-looking approach to the tea trade. During these crucial years, he played an instrumental role in strengthening the auction system, advocating for transparency, and championing the diverse interests of both producers and buyers. His efforts helped solidify Siliguri's reputation as a premier, dynamic tea auction center in the country.
Beyond trade and commerce, his leadership was profoundly defined by a sense of social responsibility and his ability to unite the industry during times of crisis. During the devastating floods in South Bengal, STAC, under his guidance, organized a special auction of silver artifacts. The sale proceeds were presented directly to the then-Chief Minister of West Bengal, Shri Jyoti Basu, at Writers' Building in Kolkata.
Later, during the Kargil War, answering a national call to the industry by the then Prime Minister, the Late Atal Bihari Vajpayee, he arranged for one chest of tea from member gardens to be auctioned to support the families of fallen soldiers. This special auction was held in the Dust Hall and was graced by the Area Commandant of the Sukna Division, who personally attended alongside military officers and Shri Ashok Bhattacharjee, the then-Minister of West Bengal. The entire collection from this historic sale was donated directly to the Army Family Welfare Fund.
Mr. K K Mintri’s commitment to the institution extended well beyond his official term; following his chairmanship, he continued to serve as the Advisor to the Governing Body of the Siliguri Tea Auction Committee for a remarkable 15 years, providing enduring guidance and stability to the industry.
For Mintri Tea, this recognition is a moment of immense pride, and we congratulate Mr. K K Mintri on this well-deserved honour. Mr. Mintri's pioneering contributions to the broader tea industry are a direct reflection of the core values that have always defined his work: integrity, uncompromising quality, and profound foresight. His leadership at STAC remains a powerful testament to his seniority and enduring legacy in the world of Indian tea.
As the Siliguri Tea Auction Committee looks ahead to its next chapter of innovation and growth, we congratulate them on fifty remarkable years, extending our deepest respect to the institution and the visionary leaders who have guided it through the decades. Mintri Tea remains dedicated to upholding this rich legacy of excellence and celebrating the enduring spirit of the Indian tea industry.
[ By MINTRI TEA News Desk]