Anit Thapa ultimatum to Bansal group tea gardens: Clear wage dues of workers in 5 days or we will run the gardens as co-operative

EOI, DARJEELING, JUNE 12 2022 : Bharatiya Gorkha Prajatantrik Morcha president Anit Thapa has given a five-day ultimatum to the management of the tea gardens under the Bansal Group of Companies to pay the pending wages of the workers or face consequences.

Workers of 10 tea gardens under the Bansal Group have not received their daily wages for over two months. Consequently, workers and their family are finding it difficult to meet the daily needs and school their children. Thapa during a public meeting in Ambootia tea garden under Kurseong sub-division threatened dire consequences if the workers were not paid their dues within five days. 

"I know how difficult it is to go without food and basic amenities for two months. The garden management is playing with the lives of the workers. I will not accept this. The workers must be paid their wages within five days or face the consequences," he said.

The Bansal group of companies have 10 tea gardens which produce organic tea leaf sold to the mostly European countries, fetching premium price. Earlier, the BGPM president had issued an ultimatum asking the management to pay the worker's due before June 12.Thapa said a dharna would be held in the office of the Darjeeling district administration and gate meetings in the 10 gardens for five days.

"We will hold dharna and gate meetings. If the district administration fails to revoke the lease of the tea gardens by the fifth day, then we will take over and run it as a cooperative," he said.

Thapa who is contesting the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration election from Kurseong said was willing to go against the government to ensure justice for the tea garden workers.

"We should be able to operate the gardens well. We should not beg for our rights. I know workers are not even able to buy their medicines. We must be united now to demand our right, he said. 

The BGPM leader also called on the managers of the 10 tea gardens of the Bansal group to join the agitation. "You (managers) are also workers of the tea garden. Support the workers and their cause. If the management cannot run the garden then we will," said Thapa.

The management of the Bansal group of companies could not be contacted for their comments. After much agitation and negotiation, the wages of the workers of hill tea gardens have been raised from Rs. 176 to Rs.202 per day.