Darjeeling, 30th September: Darjeeling MP Raju Bista issued a statement in response to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee’s strong remarks regarding the 12-hour strike in the hills over the tea garden workers’ demand for 20 percent bonus.
The MP expressed disappointment over the CM’s refusal to intervene on the issue during her visit to North Bengal, criticizing her for calling the strike politically motivated.
MP Bista reminded the CM that the tea garden workers were compelled to call the strike after their demands were ignored by the Tea Industry, the West Bengal Labour Department, and the State Government.
He further emphasized that, had the West Bengal government taken proactive steps to address the bonus issue, the workers would not have had to resort to street protests.