Committee formed to fight for rights of workers of closed tea gardens

PRASHANT ACHARYA, EOI, Siliguri, 15 Dec 2015: Despite repeated efforts by the state government and trade unions, the closed tea gardens of north Bengal have failed to reopen, prompting stakeholders to form a non-political organisation in the Dooars to take up the matter with the Centre.
The Chiya Bagan Sangram Samiti, or the Tea Garden Movement Committee, is gearing up the movement in support of the poor tea garden workers who have been facing acute financial and medical aid crises. Munish Tamang, the committee's New Delhi convener, on Monday met two BJP MPs from Assam and submitted a memorandum seeking their support and representation before the central government.
Tamang urged the two Advasi MPs, Rameshwar Teli and Kamakhya Prasad Tasha, to raise the issue in the ongoing winter session of Parliament. He also apprised the legislators of the plight of the tea garden workers of north Bengal, especially of those from closed gardens. In response, the two MPs have reportedly assured of their full support towards the cause. Committee members are also lobbying to meet Tea Board of India members seeking the immediate reopening of closed tea gardens.
A crucial meeting was held on Monday in Bagrakot where it was decided to organise a convention in Kolkata in January comprising industry captains, stakeholders and intellectuals and government representatives. 
Committee convener Sukhman Moktan said a meeting will be held in Siliguri on December 25 to decide on the future course of action.