Centre nod to subsidy funds for tea gardens

SNS, SILIGURI, 24 SEPTEMBER 21 : There is good news for tea planters who have been demanding subsidy from the central government via the Tea Board of India.

In response to a prayer from Darjeeling Member of Parliament Raju Bista, the Union Finance Ministry has informed hint about an allocation of funds meant for subsidy in tea plantations for

the north Bengal region.

"Yesterday,) have received a letter from the Ministry of Finance, which states that a financial allocation of Rs 968 crore has been appraised by the Expenditure Finance Committee (EFC) for the Tea Board for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26.The amount includes provision for payment of subsidy," Mr Bista said in a note today.

He also claimed that the government of lndia has sanctioned Rs 100 crore towards the welfare of tea garden workers from Assam and West Bengal in the 2021-22 budget and that this fund will be utilized towards ensuring welfare measures for tea garden workers, especially women and children.

"With this provision, I am most hopeful that the financial hardships facing the tea industry will be resolved and that our tea industry will emerge stronger. Together, we can gradually transform the tea industry in our region, and for this the workers, tea garden owners, govern-men t and all other tea industry stakeholders will have to work hand in hand. I am also taking this opportunity to request the tea garden owners to accede to the workers' demand for rightful wages and bonus payments," Mr Bista, also the national General Secretary of the BJYM, said.