MGNREGS: Tea Garden Workers Demand Immediate Resumption

MP, 4 Dec 2025, Alipurduar: A new wave of distress is emerging in North Bengal’s tea industry as tea garden workers and various stakeholders are calling for the immediate resumption of the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS), which has been suspended in Bengal. With the lean season approaching, the workers argue that restoring the scheme is critical for their financial survival during the non-productive months.

Both garden owners and workers have expressed concern over the situation, suggesting that it could have been avoided had MGNREGS been operational. The Supreme Court has already issued directions for restoring the scheme, and workers are urging the Centre to act swiftly. Experts believe that all 276 full-fledged tea gardens in North Bengal would benefit if the programme were restarted.

Trinamool Cha Bagan Sramik Union chairman Nakul Sonar emphasized, “MGNREGS is not just for tea garden workers; it is a means of survival for common labourers as well. Yet it has remained suspended for a long time. After our struggle, the Supreme Court directed its restoration. Had the scheme been running, workers would not have suffered during this lean period.”

Bidyut Gun, Secretary of the Alipurduar–Cooch Behar Tea Garden Mazdoor Union, also supported the demand, saying, “MGNREGS becomes a major support system for workers. Even if a garden shuts down, they can survive because of this scheme. Hundreds across every gram panchayat have applied for work. We want it restarted immediately.”

The manager of Majherdabri Tea Garden, Chinmoy Dhar, highlighted the economic difficulties faced by the industry. “Paddy, wheat, sugarcane, jute—everything has a support price. But tea has no minimum support price. Due to financial losses this year, the resumption of this scheme will significantly benefit both workers and gardens,” he stated.

He added, “During the lean period, gardens cannot provide work, which puts pressure on workers and management. If MGNREGS is active, it eases the burden on everyone.”

The region's tea gardens are set to halt production from December 15 to early February. Without urgent intervention, experts fear a severe employment and income crisis will impact the entire tea belt in North Bengal.