Indian Tea Association (ITA), the North Indian tea producers lobby, will hold a charity auction on the inaugural day of second Darjeeling Tea & Tourism Festival on December 20.

Proceeds from the auction will be donated towards the welfare of the people of Darjeeling hills in West Bengal. The 15-day festival is organised by the Gorkha Territorial Administration (GTA).

According to an ITA release, seven lots of whole-leaf Darjeeling tea from seven valleys in the hills will be offered for sale at the auction.

Major buyers will participate in the auction to be handled by J Thomas & Co Pvt Ltd in the presence of Mr Bimal Gurung, Chief Executive of GTA.