Pathetic condition of tea laborers in Ramjhora Tea Estate

Labourers of the out-of-operation Ramjhora Tea Estate, most of whom are suffering from malnutrition and enteric diseases, have termed the government relief they get as “meagre” and “irregular”.

Today a team from Right to Food and Work - West Bengal Network, working for adviser to Supreme Court Anuradha alwar was snubbed by the labourers during a visit to the garden. “We are not interested about knowing our rights, but want the garden to be reopened soon,” shouted one worker. “We can no longer bear the poverty and do not wish to live on government relief, which is meagre and irregular.”

The garden, which used to employ 1,103 permanent workers and around 2,000 temporary workers, closed operation on August 10, 2002.

Since then, enteric diseases and malnutrition have wreaked havoc at the estate. Yesterday, 35-year-old Robin Roy, a resident of Gudam labour line, succumbed to gastro-enteritis. Labourers say four persons have died of the disease in the estate in the past one week.

The administration has introduced various relief schemes at the garden, but labourers say the projects have not made any significant change in their lives. “There are huge loopholes in the implementation of the schemes,” said Kaleshwar Meher, a labourer and resident of the estate. “Last month, we got only five days’ work under Gramin Rozgar Yojna and not a single work-day this month. The rice and wheat supplied through Antodaya Annapurna Yojna is of such poor quality that it cannot be consumed.”

Some labourers said even the ration supplied against their BPL ration cards is irregular. “Instead of opening the shop for five-and-a-half days every week, they open it twice. We do not have enough money to pick up our allotments in bulk,” said Ganesh Bansfore. Fishing out their BPL card, the workers pointed out that the last entry was in mid-September.

Scarcity of drinking water too is a problem at the garden, said Congress panchayat member of the area Birsa Oraon.

Source> The Telegraph