Centre to seek report on tea workers' condition: Commerce Minister Nirmala Sitharaman

SILIGURI: The Centre will seek a report from the West Bengal Labour Department on the actual condition of the workers of the tea gardens in the state, Union Commerce and Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said today.

The report is necessary in the wake of several complaints of reduction of fringe benefits, lack of water, power, educational institutions, medical facilities, malnutrition and Provident Fund default, she told reporters here after holding a high-level meeting.

On reopening of closed tea gardens, the minister said the matter would be discussed with the state government.

To a question whether the government has any plan to take over the closed mills, Sitharaman said such a step would not solve the problems.

The meeting was attended by Tea Board Chairman, Labour department officials, local MP SS Ahluwalia, local MLA Gautam Deb and representatives of several trade unions.