Siliguri, Nov 3: West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Tuesday announced a one-time financial assistance of Rs 5,000 each for 19,524 tea garden workers ahead of Diwali and Kali Puja, and said the government was considering increasing their monthly rice allocation from 35 kg to 50 kg.
Addressing an administrative review meeting at Uttarkanya here, Adhikari said the financial assistance would be transferred directly to the beneficiaries’ bank accounts, involving an expenditure of Rs 9.76 crore.
“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 also announced plans to increase the monthly rice allocation for tea garden workers from the existing 35 kg to 50 kg, saying the proposal was being examined and the enhanced quantity could be made available from January.
“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.
Reiterating his government’s commitment to reopening closed tea gardens in north Bengal, Adhikari said efforts were underway to revive 21 gardens that had shut down during the previous government.
“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.
Turning to Labour Minister Arjun Singh, who was present at the meeting virtually from Kolkata, Adhikari said, “You will have to ensure that the tea gardens are reopened. The chief minister cannot do everything alone. I know that Samsing (tea garden) and a few other tea gardens have already reopened. Work under the Pradhan Mantri Chaa Shramik Yojana will also begin very soon.”
The CM said his government was committed to bringing all tea garden workers under the ‘Pradhan Mantri Chaa Shramik Yojana’ and asked eligible workers to keep their job cards ready to avail themselves of employment opportunities under the VBRAM-G scheme, which provides for 125 days of work at Rs 300 per day.
Referring to the condition of the tea industry, the chief minister said his government was working to attract investment and promote tea branding, tourism and marketing to protect the interests of workers and revive the sector.
He claimed that while tea garden workers had received a bonus of only 16 per cent last year, at least 95 per cent of operational gardens had already paid a 20 per cent bonus this year, barring one or two.
He also directed district magistrates to prepare lists of eligible people who were yet to be enrolled under the Annapurna scheme, saying beneficiaries would receive Rs 3,000 per month.
Eligible elderly people would be provided a monthly pension of Rs 1,500, he said.
The chief minister further announced that the foundation stone for a medical college in Kalimpong would be laid soon, tentatively on December 9. (PTI)
