The government decision to demonetise high value currency notes has created troubles for the tea garden workers. Following government’s move the wages of the workers were hampered in West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka. In this regard, the government had asked banks in the tea-growing states to open accounts for all labourers by December 5, so that the garden administration can transfer salaries online from December 10 onwards.
In this regard, the government had asked banks in the tea-growing states to open accounts for all labourers by December 5, so that the garden administration can transfer salaries online from December 10 onwards. As per reports, many workers were opposing it, also fearing that they would lose their BPL cards if the government find money in their bank accounts.
As per reports, many workers were opposing it, also fearing that they would lose their BPL cards if the government find money in their bank accounts.“Though the tea garden owners have transferred the amount meant for the wages of their labourers as asked, we have put them in a queue as the banks don’t have enough cash to give them, “a member of tea board said.
“Though the tea garden owners have transferred the amount meant for the wages of their labourers as asked, we have put them in a queue as the banks don’t have enough cash to give them, “a member of tea board said.
The Darjeeling district has 68 tea gardens, out of which 38 have been able to pay only a week’s wages to their workers since November 8.Following the November 8 decision, the Centre was quick to address the issue in Assam, which has the country’s largest number of registered tea gardens (780). The government set in motion a temporary mechanism to tide through the initial weeks, asking owners to transfer the funds meant for wage disbursement to the official bank account of the local district magistrate or district commissioner, who would then withdraw the sum on their behalf.
Following the November 8 decision, the Centre was quick to address the issue in Assam, which has the country’s largest number of registered tea gardens (780). The government set in motion a temporary mechanism to tide through the initial weeks, asking owners to transfer the funds meant for wage disbursement to the official bank account of the local district magistrate or district commissioner, who would then withdraw the sum on their behalf.
Now being called the ‘Assam model’, the provisional mechanism was thereafter adopted by tea-growing states like Kerala and West Bengal. However, it has failed to deliver the intended result as banks don’t have sufficient cash in new notes and small denominations.
According to Tea Board of India vice chairman Bidyananda Borkakoty, “On an average, a tea garden needs Rs 10 lakh per week to pay wages to the labourers.”
Borkakoty said, “After the demonetisation decision, the tea garden owners in Assam along with the tea associations reached out to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and the Assam government to find a quick solution for disbursement of the weekly wages. We wanted a direct intervention from the prime minister’s office to sort it out as non-disbursement of wages can lead to emergency situations including violence. There have been cases where labourers have gone berserk on delay of weekly payment due to them. On November 12, a temporary solution was found which is now being referred to as the ‘Assam model’. This brought some relief to both the owners and the labourers in the state.”India exported 233 million kg of tea in 2015-16, with total earnings of approximately Rs 4,493 crore.
India exported 233 million kg of tea in 2015-16, with total earnings of approximately Rs 4,493 crore.On Friday, tea garden workers in North Bengal urged Reserve Banks of India to take necessary measures for smooth flow of their wages and in clearing their outstanding wages.
On Friday, tea garden workers in North Bengal urged Reserve Banks of India to take necessary measures for smooth flow of their wages and in clearing their outstanding wages.
Tea Board Chairman, Santosh Sarangi has discussed the grievances of tea garden with CGM, RBI.
In the meeting, the tea board chairman urged RBI take effective measures for improvement in currency flow to the tea growing districts including Jalpaiguri, Drajeeling, Alipurdar and Cooch Behar. He also urged expedite the process of opening accounts under PMJDY.
