Sarkari Chai? In ‘Strong’ Push, Centre Asks Ministries To Serve PSU-Made Yule Tea At Meetings, Canteens

Published 27 July 2026 · india

Sarkari Chai? In ‘Strong’ Push, Centre Asks Ministries To Serve PSU-Made Yule Tea At Meetings, Canteens Reported By, Edited By Last Updated: July 27, 2026

Sarkari Chai? In ‘Strong’ Push, Centre Asks Ministries To Serve PSU-Made Yule Tea At Meetings, Canteens Reported By, Edited By Last Updated: July 27, 2026, 07:00 IST The appeal comes as the century-old Central Public Sector Enterprise battles financial stress despite producing premium Darjeeling, Assam and Dooars teas Rapid Read Andrew Yule & Company owns and operates 15 tea estates across Assam and West Bengal. (Yule tea website/AI generated) Government offices may soon have a new official brew. If the Ministry of Heavy Industries has its way, the next cup of tea served at government meetings, canteens and official functions could well be ‘Yule Tea’ — the public sector’s own homegrown tea brand. In what could be described as the Centre’s latest push for “Atmanirbhar Chai", the Ministry has written to other ministries and departments urging them to serve Yule Tea, produced by state-owned Andrew Yule & Company Limited (AYCL), at official gatherings. CNN-NEWS18 has a copy of a recent letter written by the Ministry of Heavy Industries to all other ministries.

The appeal comes as the century-old Central Public Sector Enterprise battles financial stress despite producing premium Darjeeling, Assam and Dooars teas. The letter requests ministries to direct organisations under their administrative control to serve Yule Tea in canteens, official meetings, conferences, functions and departmental events, giving the PSU brand a much-needed institutional boost. In effect, the government is asking fellow government departments to “drink government tea to support a government company." Andrew Yule & Company, which functions under the Ministry of Heavy Industries, owns and operates 15 tea estates across Assam and West Bengal. It manufactures Orthodox, CTC, Green Tea and flavoured varieties under the Yule Tea brand and has long supplied tea to Parliament through the Tea Board. Officials say the products have been well received by consumers, but the company continues to face financial difficulties owing to multiple operational challenges. The move also follows recommendations made by the Department-related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Industry, which urged the government to coordinate with ministries for wider promotion and adoption of the PSU’s tea products.

The ministry has highlighted that supporting the brand would not merely help a struggling public sector enterprise but would also strengthen employment in tea-growing regions, particularly among SC/ST communities and women in remote areas of Assam and West Bengal. While the proposal carries a serious economic objective, it has already sparked light-hearted reactions in bureaucratic circles. If implemented, the familiar office question of “Chai kiski hai?" may finally have an official answer: “Sarkari hai." And perhaps, for once, the most important decision in a government meeting won’t just be the agenda — it could also be which blend is being served. The Prime Minister also weighed in on the love Indians and he himself has for tea, while giving his ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address on Sunday. “In our country, tea is not merely a beverage—it embodies a sense of togetherness. Whether it is the start of the day, a meeting with friends, or spending quality time with family, tea becomes an integral part of every occasion.