“No tea garden will remain closed”: MP Raju Bista after key tea industry meeting at Uttar Kanya

During the meeting, detailed discussions were held on the current condition of the tea industry, challenges faced by tea workers, and measures required to improve their quality of life, healthcare, education and social security.

Speaking after the meeting, MP Raju Bista said that ₹1,000 crore had been allocated under the Prime Minister Tea Workers Welfare Scheme. He claimed that while the Assam government had utilised around ₹700 crore of the allocation, nearly ₹313 crore remained unutilised in North Bengal because the then Trinamool government did not send the necessary proposals to the Centre. He added that the remaining funds would soon be used for tea workers’ welfare, healthcare and infrastructure development.

The MP also asserted that no tea garden would remain closed and said efforts would be taken to reopen all closed tea gardens at the earliest.

He further alleged that attempts were being made in some cases to shut tea gardens and convert the land for hotel projects, adding that such moves would not be allowed and that tea cultivation must continue on tea garden land.

Bista said necessary steps would be taken to protect the interests of tea workers and strengthen the tea industry, with broader plans to be formulated through further discussions.