West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday announced one-time financial assistance of Rs 5,000 each for 19,524 tea garden workers ahead of Diwali and Kali Puja, involving an expenditure of Rs 9.76 crore, and said the government was considering increasing their monthly rice allocation from 35 kg to 50 kg.
Addressing an administrative review meeting at Uttarkanya, Adhikari said the assistance would be transferred directly to the beneficiaries' bank accounts before the festivals.
"I had initially thought of providing a larger amount, but the financial condition of the state is not good. Therefore, we have decided to provide Rs 5,000 each to 19,524 tea garden workers. The amount will be transferred directly to their bank accounts before Diwali," he said.
The chief minister said the government was examining a proposal to increase the monthly rice entitlement of tea garden workers by 15 kg, with the enhanced allocation likely to be introduced from January.
๐ฅ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐น๐น๐ผ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐๐ถ๐ผ๐ป ๐บ๐ฎ๐ ๐ฟ๐ถ๐๐ฒ ๐๐ผ ๐ฑ๐ฌ ๐ธ๐ด
Adhikari said the proposed increase in rice allocation would benefit workers employed in both operational and closed tea gardens across the state.
"We are examining the proposal to increase the monthly allotment from 35 kg to 50 kg. Hopefully, the workers will start receiving the enhanced quantity from January. The benefit will be extended to workers of both operational and closed tea gardens," he said.
The announcement formed part of a series of welfare measures outlined by the chief minister for tea garden workers and their families in north Bengal.
๐๐ผ๐๐ ๐ฝ๐น๐ฎ๐ป๐ ๐๐ผ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ผ๐ฝ๐ฒ๐ป ๐ฎ๐ญ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ ๐ด๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐
Reiterating his government's commitment to reviving the tea industry, Adhikari said efforts were underway to reopen 21 tea gardens that had closed during the previous administration.
He said reopening the gardens would generate employment opportunities and provide financial stability to workers affected by prolonged closures.
"There are still several closed tea gardens in this region. We are working to reopen them so that workers can get employment. Keep your job cards ready, work will start soon," he said.
Addressing Labour Minister Arjun Singh, who attended the meeting virtually from Kolkata, the chief minister directed him to expedite efforts to reopen the closed gardens.
"You will have to ensure that the tea gardens are reopened. The chief minister cannot do everything alone. I know that Samsing and a few other tea gardens have already reopened," Adhikari said.
He added that work under the Pradhan Mantri Chaa Shramik Yojana would begin soon.
๐๐บ๐ฝ๐น๐ผ๐๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฉ๐๐ฅ๐๐ -๐ ๐๐ฐ๐ต๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ
The chief minister said the government intended to bring all eligible tea garden workers under the Pradhan Mantri Chaa Shramik Yojana and asked them to keep their job cards ready to access employment opportunities.
He referred to the VBRAM-G scheme, which provides for 125 days of employment at a daily wage of Rs 300.
Adhikari said the administration would work towards expanding employment opportunities in tea-growing regions while ensuring that eligible workers received benefits under government schemes.
He also emphasised the need to attract fresh investment into the tea sector and strengthen branding, tourism and marketing initiatives to improve the industry's long-term prospects.
๐ฎ๐ฌ% ๐ฏ๐ผ๐ป๐๐ ๐ฝ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ฑ ๐ฏ๐ ๐บ๐ผ๐๐ ๐๐ฒ๐ฎ ๐ด๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ป๐
Referring to bonus payments, Adhikari claimed that tea garden workers had received a bonus of only 16 per cent last year.
He said at least 95 per cent of operational tea gardens had already paid a 20 per cent bonus this year, with only one or two gardens remaining exceptions.
The chief minister maintained that his government was committed to protecting workers' interests while addressing the financial challenges confronting the tea industry.
๐ช๐ฒ๐น๐ณ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ ๐ฏ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฒ๐ณ๐ถ๐๐, ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ถ๐ฐ๐ฎ๐น ๐ฐ๐ผ๐น๐น๐ฒ๐ด๐ฒ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ป๐ผ๐๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ฑ
During the meeting, Adhikari directed district magistrates to prepare lists of eligible people who had not yet been enrolled under the Annapurna scheme.
He said eligible beneficiaries would receive financial assistance of Rs 3,000 per month under the scheme, while qualifying elderly people would be provided a monthly pension of Rs 1,500.
The chief minister also announced plans to establish a medical college in Kalimpong, saying its foundation stone would likely be laid on December 9.
He said the government would continue working to strengthen healthcare infrastructure, employment opportunities and social welfare measures in north Bengal, particularly in tea garden areas facing economic difficulties.