Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee blames Centre for tea garden situation

SILIGURI(West Bengal): West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee today blamed the Centre's "indifference" for the plight of tea gardens of north Bengal, most of which are at the brink of closure while their workers are living in penury.

The ailing tea gardens of West Bengal have left its employees in lurch, as several deaths of its workers have been reported in the last one year. Some were consumed by the poverty while others took their own lives.

"The Centre's indifference is responsible for the situation in tea gardens," she said in response to questions by reporters on her way back to Kolkata after winding up her two-day trip to north Bengal.

Banerjee said that the state government, keeping in mind the problem of poor tea workers, has accepted a Rs 100 cr project.

"The project will be implemented soon," she said.

Arrangements are being made to provide rice to the tea workers at Rs two per kg, she added.