Tea Garden owners - The real culprits

Administrative officials and members of the Indian Tea Association (ITA) have come down heavily on planters, who have shut down their estates during the lean season to avoid labour costs.

At the annual general meeting of the Dooars Branch of Indian Tea Association (DBITA) organised in Binnaguri yesterday, government and ITA officials accused a section of planters of being indifferent to the condition of the tea sector. “They are the black sheep of the industry. They have tainted the image of the planters’ community. It is unethical to close down estates for the three-month-long lean season,” alleged K.S. David, chairman of the ITA’s Bengal committee.

According to David, when planters in other tea producing countries like South Africa and Kenya are moving towards diversification, a group of planters prefer to remain non-receptive to new initiatives. “Merely selling tea will not improve the economic condition of the industry. Ancillary activities (like tea tourism) are essential for garnering revenue,” David added.

Administrative officials, who spoke after David, also stuck to the aggressive stance.

“It is strange, and certainly not feasible, that the government has to take up the responsibility of the people despite the fact that the fault is somebody else’s. This is not acceptable,” said A. Subbiah, the district magistrate of Jalpaiguri.

According to Subbiah, expenditures incurred in initiating schemes for closed estates were often questioned by the office of the comptroller and auditor-general. “They seek explanations from us as to why we spent such large amounts on these garden instead of other backward pockets,” he said.

Elaborating on the development schemes that the administration has taken up for the tea industry, Subbiah said: “We would like to remind this section of planters that nobody is above the law. They should open their units by February 15 or else we will take appropriate measures.”

Ashok Mohan Chakrobarty, principal secretary of the labour department, rebuked garden owners for delivering the wrong message to the society. “Since October last year, seven gardens have closed down and none of the owners of these estates have participated in the meetings. This is not acceptable,” Chakrobarty said.

Source > The Telegraph