Tea garden closed before Dassain

EOI, SILIGURI, 25 SEPT 2023 : Workers of Moondakothi Tea Garden under Kurseong block are worried after management sent suspension of work notice before 'Dassain' (festive season). The management of the tea garden has informed all the relevant agencies through WhatsApp, stating that the tea garden has been immobilized due to the unresolved financial issue between the previous company of this tea garden run by Lemongrass Organic Tea State Private Limited and UCO Bank. 

The tea garden has total of 948 workforce including labourers and other staff members. According to reports the manager of the tea garden has not been present since Monday following which the work was not going on smoothly.

According to the instructions of NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal), the solution of the problems of UCO Bank should have been completed by 21 September but the bank refused to settle the matter, as per the directive. Due to which this company has no other option but to withdraw its management from this tea plantation, it is also stated in the notice. Accordingly, the work of this tea garden has been stopped since Monday. 

Binu Thapa a local resident of tea garden said that the management has not put any notices in the factory but circulated in Whatsapp group among various trade union leaders.

"It will be difficult for the workers to celebrate Dassain without the salary and bonus," said Thapa.