Fulbari, 02 June (Siliguri Chronicle) – A key meeting on the future of North Bengal’s tea industry was held at Uttar Kanya on Tuesday, where leaders and officials discussed the reopening of closed tea gardens, welfare measures for tea workers and the long-term development of the sector.
The meeting was attended by North Bengal Development Minister Nisith Pramanik, MPs Raju Bista and Manoj Tigga, MLA Bishal Lama, other legislators, Tea Board officials and senior administrative representatives.
During the discussion, participants reviewed the current condition of the tea industry and the challenges faced by tea workers. Issues such as healthcare, education, social security and improving the overall quality of life of workers were among the major topics discussed.
Addressing the media after the meeting, MP Raju Bista said that ₹1,000 crore had been sanctioned under the Prime Minister Tea Workers Welfare Scheme. He alleged that while Assam had utilised around ₹700 crore of the fund, nearly ₹313 crore earmarked for North Bengal remained unused as the then Trinamool Congress government did not submit the required proposals to the Centre.
Bista stated that the remaining funds would be utilised for the welfare of tea workers, healthcare services and infrastructure development in tea garden areas.
He also asserted that no tea garden in North Bengal would remain closed and said efforts would be made to reopen all shut tea estates at the earliest.
The MP further alleged that there had been attempts in some places to close tea gardens and use the land for hotel projects. He said such proposals would not be permitted and stressed that tea garden land should continue to be used for tea cultivation.
Bista added that necessary measures would be taken to safeguard the interests of tea workers and strengthen the tea industry, with further plans to be prepared through continued consultations and discussions.
