the BJP Trade Union Relations Cell organised a historic Public Meeting to demand the rights of the tea garden workers, at the Dagapur Ground, in Siliguri.
the BJP Trade Union Relations Cell organised a historic Public Meeting to demand the rights of the tea garden workers, at the Dagapur Ground, in Siliguri.
For generations, the tea garden workers have continued to be exploited. They have been denied their rights to dignified life and livelihood. They have been denied the right to their ancestral lands, fair wages and working conditions. BJP seeks to break this cycle of exploitation faced by the tea garden workers, and also cinchona garden workers in North Bengal.
Among the major demands raised today were: Granting of Parja Patta to all ancestral lands held by the Tea Garden workers; Implementation of Minimum Wages Act in the Tea Gardens; Putting an end to the "Pro rata" system; Ensuring "extra pay" for "extra leaves" collected; Ensuring social security and better health care for workers; Implementation of all the New Labour Codes Passed by the Parliament and other issues.
The meeting was addressed by Hon'ble Union Minister Ms. Smriti Irani ji, Hon'ble WB BJP state Incharge Sh. Mangal Pandey ji, Hon'ble WB BJP President and MP Dr Sukanta Majumdar ji, Hon'ble MoS Sh. John Barla ji, WB BJP Joint Gen Secretary (Org) Sh. Satish Dhond ji, National BJP IT Head and WB Co-Incharge Sh. Amit Malviya ji, Hon'ble Jalpaiguri MP Sh. Jayanta Roy ji, Hon'ble Members of WB Legislative Assembly from the region, and National, State and District BJP leaders.
Highlighting the immense contributions of the tea workers towards shoring up the economy of West Bengal, Union Minister Smriti Irani ji emphasized on the BJP stand in favour of the tea workers, and the support of our party towards ascertain their rights.
Highlighting TMC Govt attempt at hoodwinking the tea workers in the name of the "Cha Sundari" project, she remarked "neither beauty nor tea" will be left if TMC continues to exploit the tea workers this way.
Contrasting the development agenda of the Central Government under the leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi ji for Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars region versus the exploitations of the region under TMC, Smriti Irani ji listed out the projects that have been implemented, that are under implementation, and projects that have been sanctioned by the Central Government.
Projects like 1100mtrs long Atal Setu connecting Darjeeling to Sikkim; Kalimpong to Damdim Alternative Highway; Balason, Sevoke Elevated Highway Corridor, Siliguri Ring Road project, Joyee bridge over river Teesta, and upgradation of NH55 which is currently under process. She also mentioned the NJP Railway Station Modernization project, Modernisation of Coochbehar and Alipurduar Railway Stations, Sevoke-Rangpo rail line project granted by the Central Govt for the region. She mentioned the 714 projects worth around Rs 2450.34 crores for various ‘Har Ghar Jal’ schemes sanctioned for Darjeeling and Terai region; and Rs 211 crores granted by the Central Govt for augmenting health care facilities in Darjeeling L.S Constituency. She mentioned how over 1.5 Lakh Pradhan Mantri Aawas Yojana homes have been sanctioned in North Bengal, and over 10000kms of rural roads constructed in North Bengal by the Central Govt. She then asked the people if the TMC Govt under CM Mamata Banerjee ji has done anything of this sort? to which the people responded with an emphatic "NO."
She then spoke on the massive ghotala undertaken by the TMC Government. She specifically mentioned the Ghotalas done by those controlling the GTA, particularly the Teacher's Recruitment Scam. She mentioned how they have deprived the eligible candidates and sold off teaching jobs to politicians and their family members. She also mentioned the PDS Ration Ghotala undertaken by TMC, in which they did not give ration to the tea garden workers from the Terai region during the lockdown period. She also mentioned the NBU Ghotala of recruiting teaching faculty without following proper procedures. She mentioned the misappropriation of funds by GTA and the Caste Specific Development Boards in the hills. She then highlighted the SJDA Ghotala, and reminded the people how TMC has always looted the region and the people.
The meeting saw massive participation of tea garden workers from entire Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars region, whose enthusiastic participation today has shaken the foundations of the tyrannical TMC government in the state.
Under the leadership of Hon'ble Prime Minister Sh. Narendra Modi ji, BJP is committed to ensuring rights and justice for our tea garden and cinchona garden workers, and a dignified living standards and safe working conditions for them. We will continue our programs for the rights of the tea garden workers, until they get their rights.
Raju Bista
Member of Parliament, Darjeeling and
National Spokesperson, BJP
