Bengal Minister Assures Cinchona Plantation Workers of Steps to Address Wage and DA Issues

PTI, August 4, 2026, Kolkata : West Bengal minister Arjun Singh has assured cinchona plantation workers in the Darjeeling-Kalimpong hills that the state government would take steps to ensure payment of minimum wages, examine the long-pending dearness allowance issue and explore the reopening of four factories, officials said on Tuesday.

The assurance came during the minister's visit to the Directorate of Cinchona and Other Medicinal Plants at Mungpoo on Monday, where he reviewed diversification initiatives and held discussions with workers' representatives and senior officials.

The Labour Minister, accompanied by Darjeeling MP Raju Bista and Minister of State for Home and Hill Affairs Bishal Lama, visited a cinchona nursery, Herbal Heaven, a cymbidium orchid nursery, Kiwi Bari and other horticultural facilities.

Officials briefed the delegation on efforts to diversify from traditional quinine cultivation to medicinal plants, floriculture and horticulture to improve livelihoods in the hill region.

During a review meeting attended by Tourism and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shankar Ghosh, workers' union representatives, senior officials and local leaders, Singh was apprised of long-pending issues relating to wages and service conditions of plantation workers.

The Labour Minister directed officials to facilitate eligible workers in availing benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and other welfare schemes, according to an official statement.

The minister also asked the Cinchona Directorate to examine feasible measures for resuming operations at four factories that have remained closed, it said.

Reiterating the state's commitment to reviving the historic cinchona sector, the minister said the government would focus on sustainable diversification, improved worker welfare and greater economic opportunities for the Darjeeling-Kalimpong region.