Jairam hits out at state and Centre

TT, Siliguri, Aug. 16: Former Union minister and Congress leader Jairam Ramesh criticised the state and central governments for not putting efforts to re-open the shut tea estates of north Bengal and improve the socio-economic condition of garden residents.

"We had consistently tried to reopen the closed estates and work for improvement of the socio-economic conditions of tea workers. During my tenure (as Union minister of state for commerce and industries), I have paid at least 10 visits to the region to try and improve the situation. No such efforts are being seen these days, particularly since the governments have changed at the Centre and in the state," said Ramesh, who was here today to attend a national seminar on rights and powers of local bodies.

"It is disappointing that the Tea Board of India, the apex body to manage the industry, does not have a permanent chairman. A bureaucrat posted at the Centre has been assigned with additional responsibility, which is another proof that the Union government is hardly bothered about the tea belt. Interestingly, the Bengal government, which is well aware of the issue, and particularly because the Tea Board is headquartered in Calcutta, has never pressed for a full-time chairman," Ramesh added.

He told reporters that the Congress would not join hands with the CPM. "The party has made its intentions very clear that it will move alone. There is no question of tying up with the Left."