The Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) on July 27, 2026, issued the Tea (Holding Inquiry and Appeal) Amendment Rules, 2026, further to amend the Tea (Holding Inquiry and Appeal) Rules, 2024.
They shall come into force on July 31, 2026.
The following has been amended:
• The amendment revises Rule 3 to empower the adjudicating officer to issue a warning letter, in addition to adjudication, for specified contraventions.
• A new sub-rule (8A) provides that for a first-time contravention under Section 37 of the Act, the adjudicating officer shall issue a warning letter, while subsequent contraventions may attract a penalty of up to ₹1 lakh.
• The amendment also requires that every order issued under sub-rules (8) or (8A) clearly specify the relevant provision of the Act that has been violated and state the reasons for issuing the warning letter or imposing the penalty.
• Further, Form-I has been updated to include references to the issuance of warning letters alongside the imposition of penalties.
[Notification no. - G.S.R. 669 (E)]
