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'Investor' emerges to run closed garden

'Investor' emerges to run closed garden

TT, Jalpaiguri: Trinamul leaders of Nagrakata block on Monday introduced a "new investor" before workers of the abandoned Carron Tea Estate and asked them to join duties.

Sambit Dutta, the so-called investor, hasn't, however, entered into any agreement with the current management which said the move was "illegal".

Dutta, a resident of Birpara in Alipurduar district, buys tea from gardens and sells it to his clientele, sources said.

"He has agreed to make investment on the basis of a discussion held with local Trinamul leaders. He is infusing funds so that workers can get their wages and in return, his earnings will be the sale proceeds," said a source.

Administrative officials are tight-lipped over the development but said the owner or his representatives had not turned up at tripartite talks convened to reopen the garden.

The estate that employs 714 permanent workers had been closed since April 1, 2017.

"The managerial staff left the garden without clearing the workers' dues. It was learnt that the company had been facing a financial crisis," said Pravin Singh Jha, a local Trinamul leader.

As the garden was abandoned, many workers left for other states in search of jobs.

"The situation deteriorated when the management stopped ensuring amenities like healthcare, drinking water and transport to schoolchildren," said Asha Biswakarma, a woman worker.

The lackadaisical attitude of the management which didn't even attend meetings convened by the labour department made workers disgruntled and they approached Trinamul leaders.

"The leaders intervened and took the task of finding an investor who could run the garden. Accordingly, they found one and introduced him with the workers on Monday," said a source.

Sources also revealed that the "investor" would run the plantations but not the factory. "Workers have been asked to join their duties. Tealeaves produced in plantations would be sold to other tea gardens. Workers will be paid their wages on a regular basis. However, the investor will not bear financial liabilities. The factory will continue to remain closed," the source added.

With such arrangement being made, some of the workers joined their duties on Monday.

"Trinamul is desperate to ensure that all closed and abandoned tea estates reopen before panchayat elections to retain its support base. That is why local Trinamul leaders are exploring all possible options," said an observer.

The decision, however, has not gone down well with the management.

"The garden has been reopened in a completely illegal manner. We will take appropriate legal steps against such moves," said Priyabrata Bhadra, the manager of Carron.

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