1 hr ago
North Bengal Tea Gardens Face Closures Amid Cash Crunch
Tea gardens in north Bengal are facing serious money problems.
A planters’ group says 15 to 20 more gardens might close.
About 15 gardens in the region are already closed.
The gardens are earning less because prices have stayed low and exports have fallen.
Their costs are also rising.
They must pay workers a 20 per cent bonus, which could make the problem worse.
The group wants unpaid government subsidies and other financial help to reach the gardens quickly.
Government officials have also asked closed gardens to reopen, but the planters say lasting solutions are needed.
The Terai Indian Planters’ Association warned 15 to 20 more gardens could close.
Around 15 tea gardens are already closed in north Bengal.
Planters cited stagnant prices, lower exports, rising costs and a 20 per cent bonus burden.
The association said Tea Board subsidies owed for seven to eight years remain unpaid.
It sought urgent financial relief, case-by-case interventions and incentives to attract new investment.
- Who
- The Terai Indian Planters’ Association, north Bengal tea gardens and the state labour department, led at the meeting by labour minister Arjun Singh.
- What
- Planters warned that 15 to 20 additional tea gardens could close because of financial pressure and sought urgent relief.
- Where
- North Bengal, including the meeting venue Uttarkanya.
- When
- The warning followed a September 25 meeting; officials reportedly set an October 5 bonus deadline, with winter approaching.
- Why
- Stagnant prices, lower exports, rising costs, unpaid Tea Board subsidies and the required 20 per cent bonus are worsening cash shortages.
Planters’ Association
Labour Department
Reopening closed gardens
Planters’ Association
Fixed deadlines alone may not produce lasting reopenings unless lease, electricity, subsidy, violence and other underlying problems are resolved.
Labour Department
The labour department reportedly raised reopening closed gardens within seven days as a priority.
Financial support
Planters’ Association
The association says urgent relief, unpaid subsidies and investment incentives are needed, and that subsidies could help settle workers’ dues.
Labour Department
The department’s reported focus was on reopening gardens and ensuring payment of the 20 per cent bonus, while the association said no comparable relief package had been offered.
Government intervention
Planters’ Association
Planters sought case-by-case action and argued that existing operating requirements could deter prospective investors.
Labour Department
The department pursued fixed reopening and bonus timelines, according to the association’s account of the September 25 meeting.
Key facts
- Potential additional closures
- 15 to 20 north Bengal tea gardens
- Currently closed gardens
- Around 15
- Bonus requirement
- 20 per cent, reportedly due by October 5
- Unpaid subsidies
- Tea Board subsidies allegedly pending for seven to eight years
- Meeting date
- September 25
- Requested measures
- Financial relief, subsidy clearance, case-by-case intervention and investment incentives
- Industry pressures
- Stagnant prices, lower exports, rising costs and other external factors
Quotes
Mahendra P. Bansal
Chairman of the Terai Indian Planters’ Association
“The present situation in the entire industry is extremely alarming, with stagnant prices, lower exports, rising costs and other external factors.”
telegraphindia.com
“This non-payment of subsidy has resulted in accumulation of statutory dues, workers dues and other defaults and dues.”
telegraphindia.com
Sources
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