Siliguri, 11th May: The Central Government recently issued a directive to allow the tea industry to resume operations with a maximum of 25 percent workforce so that social-distancing norms are adhered to.
However, the tea gardens were in a deplorable state due to the lack of maintenance for the past several days. Various trade unions have repeatedly approached the State government seeking help in this regard. After the State Tourism Minister Goutam Deb, on Sunday, submitted a written appeal in the State Secretariat highlighting the problems faced by the tea garden workers amid the lockdown, the State government responded to the request and finally allowed the tea industry to operate with 50 percent workforce.
During a press conference on Monday, the Minister stated that various problems were being regularly reported from the tea gardens in North Bengal. Following which, he sent a letter to Nabanna on Sunday.
“The government has responded to my letter and has allowed tea gardens to work with 50 percent workforce”, he added.