Bagdogra, 26th February: Darjeeling MP Raju Bista has strongly opposed the West Bengal government’s decision to allocate 30% of tea garden land for tea tourism. After meeting the Governor in Kolkata, Bista addressed the media at Bagdogra Airport on Wednesday, questioning the Chief Minister’s role in the matter.
Bista stated that the concerns of North Bengal are not given importance in Kolkata. He cautioned that diverting 30% of tea estate land for tourism would devastate the tea industry. He alleged that land is being handed over to businessmen under the guise of providing 5 decimal land to tea workers and assured that such actions would not be allowed.
The MP informed that both the Governor and the Tea Board have been apprised of the issue. He accused the government of conspiring to destroy the tea industry while failing to take necessary steps for its development. He further alleged that the move is aimed at easy money collection and election funding and assured that it will be strongly opposed.