There was a nominal quantity of new season CTC was offered and these attracted quick attention of the buyers and were sold readily.

Good Dooars new season smaller brokens and also fannings were generally sold between Rs 105 and Rs 110 a kg. These teas were mainly lifted by the West Bengal buyers. The old season CTC, offered so far, also received with improved interest and were selling readily at steadier rates in line with the quality, barring some browner, fibrous and reconditioned CTCs, which were sold at heavily discounted rates and suffered withdrawals too.

The western Indian buyers absorbed a nominal quantity of good liquoring teas so far offered in the sale. Hindustan Lever was less active while local buyers were fairlyactive.

There was small quantity of Darjeeling teas on offer, including old and new season varieties, which were readily absorbed by the local buyers. The old season brokens and fannings were sold at steady to dearer rates in line with the quality. The whole leaf, on the other hand, saw some overseas enquiries, particularly from West Asian shippers.

A very negligible quantity of new season Darjeeling teas also had been presented at the sale and these were readily lifted at attracted prices by the West Bengal dealers.

Market opened to a good general demand for 4,972 chests of orthodox teas offered at the sale. Of this, about 88 per cent teas found takers. A nominal quantity of the new season orthodox teas was sold well at attractive prices with wholeleaf varieties being sought after by some export accounts as well as internal consumers at prices ranging between Rs 125 and Rs 160 per kg.

In the old season teas, the clean well made whole leaf, brokens and fannings were sold readily at around lastlevels.

The stalkier varieties, however, were sold at discounted rates with some withdrawals.

A fair quantity of whole leaf orthodox tea was lifted by the West Asian shippers who also bought other cheaper variety orthodox teas. The West Bengal buyers also lent good buying support at this section.

Dust teas amounting to 4481 chests which presented for sale met with better demand with 96 per cent being sold.

In the old season group, a nominal quantity of clean, well made and bright liquoring dust teas witnessed stiff competitions from the buyers and realised attractive prices. The remainder was also sold readily at dearer to firm rates depending on quality.

There was no new season dust tea on offer in the auction but some trading on this variety were carried out privately.

The buyers from western India were active in absorbing liquoring dusts in general. The local traders also rendered good buying support. Renowned packeteers, however, showed interest in some selected lines.

Meanwhile, theGuwahati sale no 15 was declared suspended because of lower arrival. The no-rain situation was still prevalent, affecting production of tea severely.