Welcome to our land, where the beautiful rolling clouds have hidden tears, the hills above witnessing all the painful inhumane stories, the pine trees silently internalising encroachments of trespassers exploit the forests, the water bodies, the natural springs having to reduce their flow succumbing amidst the urbanization hullabaloo!

And there stands the tea bushes, green in their outer selves yet unspokenably misery-laden-withstanding decades of extortionist regime (aka) from the white man’s burden to the current form of capitalist-led business model.

What therefore remains altered?

Nothing than the open market trading  of “cheap local labour,” meant  to commercially satisfy the gastronomically-appetising-luxurious needs of High-Tea drinkers globally.

Isn’t there this entire pool of suffering tagged along those stretched sloping lands?

From, the exploited earth, repeatedly raped of its vitality, power and strength, with the continuous cycle and re-cycle of digging, sowing, harvesting and what may not— when is the ripped soil going to breathe a sigh of relief? not soon enough until consuming tea in expensive porcelain remains a choice for classes of humans.

Oh yes! Surrounding those tea estates, must land be further developed— undeniably, leading to concrete infrastructures, add-on vehicles and tourism influx.

Then there must be relaxable resorts, spas, eateries, adventurous activities for the over-worked souls from the city-spaces to indulge into, after all, who doesn’t deserve a break?

What’s the repercussion to these unthoughtful, self-centred- human motives?

Nothing much really, only much intense exploitation of land, natural resources, pollution of every kind (that thus far humans have graciously created)— so much for tea tourism and export— welcome to the Queen of Hills, one and all!

Hey, have you ran out of your mind? If we don’t sell tea, how are the local villages going to sustain? If we don’t build more concrete spaces, how’s tourism gong to flourish?

My dears, growing tea because it’s part and parcel of our cultural heritage is one thing but completely turning the tables means we’re CONSTRAINED- pseudo-independent, passing the baton from the reigns of white men to brown men who still mean strict business.

The tea industry involves a laborious work schedule in extreme weather conditions, where women and men alike participate in the end to end processes for an exchange of minimum wage, bare-limited facilities, wherein majority of profit and shares are enjoyed by the Private Companies who are in power position and decision making, where large produce is sold at exorbitantly rates marketed under various labels within the larger umbrella of “Fine Darjeeling Tea.”

The hierarchical power position thus still positing as division of visible class differences in terms of labour and supervision, who’s holding the horses, anyway?

History repeating in itself, voices being silenced—mind us—these are the same voices of the indigenous lot, fighting for identity and visibility within the national and international picture.

Being subjugated bring us any more relief, with minimum wages, zero hygiene access, lack of say in the (Tea)-company policies and more significantly— the freedom to live a dignified humane life.

There’s more happening, than what meets— laymanish eyes’, in no way it  justifies reducing the Tea estate stories into fragments of one-sided narration of mere cries over incentives and bonuses especially during the festival months majorly covering media reels.

Unless voices of dissent make a place into these hegemonic social spaces, where balance of power, choice and perspectives are played out ethically,— commercialization, politicization, exploitation, marketization and dehumanization practices will prejudicially penetrate even more, thereby further destroying what’s little left for us— the inhabitants of this very soulful side of the greater world.

Would we then pause, think and reflect the moment we order fancy cups of Darjeeling Tea at Cafes’ where sellers are totally alienated from the stories of blood and sweat brewing over those irresistible pots of stimulating Tea.

Writes – Indu Rai, Independent thinker, researcher and writer.

The post Are We Drinking Sips of Misery? Darjeeling’s Tea appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

While the miseries have taken to be the most common part of any tea garden worker’s life, they surface now and then for the non-residents of the tea gardens in the form of stories and videos. These miseries exemplify the apathy and indifference of the Governments and administration towards the tea gardens and its people. These miseries are also deeply rooted down in the history of the tea gardens. The tea gardens still function under the Plantations Labour Act, 1951. While the situations in the tea gardens have changed dynamically through the time, the tea garden is still running under the act since around the time of the independence. The Act also rests a lot of power in the hands of the state government.

The low wages in the tea gardens are a result of the unique wage model in the tea gardens through the history, where the labours were required to pay partially in cash and partially in kind. The tea garden management were required to provide the labours with houses, annual house repairing costs, ration, medical facilities, educational facilities and other necessities along with the money wages. As such, the money wages only constituted a part of the wage and the management were able to keep it low, since they were providing with other essentials to compensate for the low wages. But slowly with time, the tea garden managements started withdrawing the provisions one after another. They, however, did not increase the money component of the wages, while other provisions were being taken off. Even if we do not consider the depletion of the payments in kind, the wages have still crawled forward at a very negligible pace, meanwhile inflation, through the decades, have shot over the roof.

Another reason why the wages in the tea gardens have kept low, while the miseries have kept high is the strong nexus of the tea garden owners in the state of West Bengal – financially and politically. The Tea Garden owners form a very strong association in the state and have known to have a very strong influence on the Government through the times. In fact, it has been a known fact that acquiring the tea garden leases often require connections. The nexus of the tea garden owners and the government has always played its part in ensuring low wages in the tea gardens, and almost every time, the ball has been rolled in favour of the tea garden owners in the times of crises arising.

The crises on most occasions surround the issue of bonus or the shutting down of the tea gardens at the time of bonus distribution. The tea garden workers sustain at a below subsistence level of income, and whatever they earn through the year is mostly spent on their regular consumption expenditure – leaving them without any savings. However, one time during the year, the celebration of their biggest festival, Dashain, requires a large chunk of expenses. As they do not have any means of savings, the workers have mostly relied on the 20% bonus that they get at the advent of the festival months, to fare of with all the expenses that are involved. The 20% bonus has played a very big role in the lives of the families across the tea garden plantations.

Even though the Darjeeling region is politically a part of West Bengal, the political parties and the leaders in the hills have always maintained autonomy and political dominance in the region. It would be the regional ruling party or the leaders who would mediate any differences between the tea garden management and the workers and would ensure their wellbeing. Given the fact, any anomalies around the bonus issues were also sorted by the regional leaders and the ruling parties, and the process of the bonus disbursal would not always be complicated.

But today, as the ruling party in the hills is also largely under the control of the State Government, the political reach of the tea garden owners also extends to the regional leaders – and they have mostly failed to address the issues of the tea garden workers in the recent years. This is where the present-day scenario of the tea gardens becomes interesting.

Given the disappointments faced by the workers in the past years in procuring their bonus, they decided to fight for their own rights this time around and hold up for 20% bonus. None of the political parties or any leader had come forward when the issue was raised by the workers themselves – creating a formidable people’s movement. The leaders, who did not initially care to pay any attention towards the issue, now started to realise that the movement had started gaining momentum, and was receiving support from every corner of the hills. The political parties around the hills did not waste any time in investing in the wave that was created and the movement started seeing representatives carrying all their respective party banners.

The ruling party sent its “trade union” division to represent it, stating that the bonus issue did not concern any political party individually but the entire hills overall and that its trade union was independent of their party and was representing all the workers. However, one could see the party flags and party centric slogans all around the protest site – that came as a clear indication of the party’s attempt to hijack the movement which until now belonged to the people. It has to be remembered that the State Government would be putting pressure on this ally of theirs to handle the issue in their favour.

The workers acting independently had issued warnings to shut down the hills indefinitely if the bonus issue wasn’t resolved. Here is where things get interesting. As soon as the news about the failure of the meeting about bonus started floating out, the trade union leaders came out and declared 12 hours all hills strike. The calling out of the 12-hour strike seemed just like an attempt to diffuse the indefinite strike to be called. It can also be ascertained from how, as soon as the 12 hours strike was over, visible efforts were made to discontinue the strike, even though the workers across different tea gardens were pushing to continue with the strike.

It has to be remembered that the State Government would be putting pressure on this ally of theirs to handle the issue in their favour.  A 12 hours bandh would better suit the happiness of the state government than an indefinite one, giving the ruling party an opportunity to prove that things were still under their control. In fact, the 12-hour strike was also not very strictly observed in Kalimpong, which happens to be a stronghold of the ruling party. It was the same place where the party had held a large-scale protest with flags and banners for the RG Kar case on behest of the TMC, enforcing a complete shutdown.

It is also noteworthy that when the movement started, it was about the rights of the tea garden labours in terms of bonus. Interestingly, as soon as the political players came in, the term “negotiation” was introduced into the scene, intentionally detouring the entire movement. How can there be a space for negotiation around a given right that a person deserves. Negotiations are inherent to movements where new demands are made, and there is a conflict between two parties about the demand. But when the rights are already at place, who are they negotiating for? – The tea garden owners? The state government?

Now news is coming that a16% bonus has been forcefully distributed among the tea garden labours against their will through digital transfer. Perhaps, it was this forceful digital transfer of the bonus that caused the leader of the Trade Union, affiliated with the ruling party, to become so unwell that he had to be hospitalized.

The apathy towards the tea garden workers is a result of a complete indifference of the state government, as well as the central government together. While the state government does not take any initiative to better the condition of the tea garden workers, the central government has also failed to implement the four new labour codes – Code on Wages, Social Security Code, Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, and the Industrial Relations Code in West Bengal. Collectively, these Labour Codes provide for higher wages, and a better living and working conditions, yet their implementation in the state of West Bengal has been stalled since these laws were passed by the Parliament of India, and the Central Govt has not been able to pressurize the WB Govt enough to have these laws implemented.

The “chiya ko bot” may still be “sun ko” but “kada chai sun ko bijeko chaina khutta ma – kaada chai dukkha koi bijeko cha”.

The post Tea Garden Bonus – Some Thoughts appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

Here I find, in just 8 days, the price of Dhara Kachi Ghani Mustard Oil (2* 5L Can) 𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐞 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 Rs 𝟏𝟓𝟓𝟏 𝐨𝐧 𝟏𝟖𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒 to Rs 𝟏𝟕𝟎𝟖 𝐨𝐧 𝟐𝟔𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐞𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟒.

This 𝟏𝟎% 𝐢𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 in such a short span demonstrates the relentless impact of inflation on essential goods, and for the tea garden laborers, who earn modest wages, these increases make daily life increasingly difficult.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐏𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐞 𝐇𝐢𝐤𝐞 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐈𝐭𝐬 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐞𝐪𝐮𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐬:

• On 18th September 2024, mustard oil cost Rs 𝟏𝟓𝟓.𝟏𝟎 𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐫𝐞
• By 26th September 2024, that price had increased to Rs 𝟏𝟕𝟎.𝟖𝟎 𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐫𝐞

That’s an increase of Rs 𝟏𝟓.𝟕𝟎 𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐫𝐞 in just over a week, a significant rise for those already struggling to make ends meet.

Impact on Darjeeling’s Tea Garden Laborers:

For the tea garden laborers earning Rs 𝟐𝟓𝟎 𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐲, this price rise is devastating. Imagine working all day only to find that 𝟏 𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐫𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐦𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐝 𝐨𝐢𝐥, now priced at Rs 𝟏𝟕𝟏, consumes more than 𝐭𝐰𝐨-𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐢𝐥𝐲 𝐰𝐚𝐠𝐞. For families living on the edge of poverty, every rupee counts. The rising cost of essentials like oil means less money for food, education, healthcare, and other critical needs.

I stand in full solidarity with our tea garden workers as they fight for a 𝟐𝟎% 𝐏𝐮𝐣𝐚 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐬. This demand is not only fair but necessary in light of the increasing cost of living. Despite three rounds of discussions, the management and garden owners have offered only 𝐨𝐧𝐥𝐲 𝐮𝐩 𝐭𝐨 𝟏𝟐%, which is simply not enough to address the economic pressures our workers face.

For tea garden workers, this bonus is not a luxury. It is a critical means of survival. It provides some financial breathing room during the festival season, allowing them to manage additional expenses and keep their families afloat.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐬𝐡 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐲 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞:

Our tea garden workers earn Rs 𝟐𝟓𝟎 𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐝𝐚𝐲, laboring tirelessly in difficult conditions to produce the world-renowned Darjeeling Tea. Yet, despite their immense contributions to the industry, their wages remain stagnant while prices for basic commodities soar. This inflationary pressure puts an even greater strain on their already stretched finances.

As a known fact the 𝟐𝟎% 𝐏𝐮𝐣𝐚 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐬 would not only offer them a measure of relief but also acknowledge their hard work and dedication. The laborers are the backbone of the Darjeeling tea industry. Without them, this globally respected product would not exist, and they deserve to be compensated fairly for their efforts.

It is time for the management and owners of Darjeeling’s tea gardens to recognize the contributions of their workers and meet their demand for a 20% Puja Bonus. These workers are not just employees; they are the lifeblood of the tea estates. Their tireless labor ensures the continued success and prestige of Darjeeling Tea on the world stage.

In my opinion, their request for a 𝟐𝟎% 𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐬 is more than justified. It is a matter of fairness, dignity, and survival. They deserve to live and work with the assurance that their efforts are valued and that they can provide for their families, especially during the festival season.

Their voices deserve to be heard, and their demands must be met. Let us not forget that behind every cup of Darjeeling Tea is the hard work and sacrifice of these men and women. They deserve nothing less than respect, fair wages, and the 𝟐𝟎% 𝐏𝐮𝐣𝐚 𝐁𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐬 they are asking for.

It is my hope that the management and garden owners will listen to the voices of their workers and take this opportunity to show compassion and fairness. By agreeing to the 𝟐𝟎% 𝐛𝐨𝐧𝐮𝐬, they will not only help alleviate the immediate financial pressures but also foster goodwill and mutual respect, ensuring a more sustainable and harmonious future for the tea industry.

I remain optimistic that through continued dialogue and understanding, the workers’ demands will be met, bringing much-needed relief to their families during the festive season. May this outcome signal a brighter, more equitable future for all those who contribute to the legacy of Darjeeling Tea.

Writes – R Lama

The post Darjeeling Hills Tea Garden Workers appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

The report has been made public, only now.

The Committee constituted on the 13^th September 2021 has highlighted some of the prominent issues plaguing Darjeeling Tea industry and suggestive measures to overcome the problems with an aim to bolster the efforts of the government in achieving long-term sustainability of the performance and growth of the tea industry.

Here’s an overview of the report which we found it relevant to the people of Darjeeling Hills, Terai, and Dooars:

Land Rights to Tea Workers

The report takes note that “the tea garden workers in Darjeeling hills, Terai and Dooars do not have land or ‘Parja-Patta’ (land rights) on their ancestral tea growing lands. To dwell on their ancestral homes, they must send at least one family members to work for the tea company. On failure to send a family member for work, they lose their rights to live on their ancestral lands. Since the land rights are vested with tea company, there have been instances when the aged workers having no children were denied the right to even repair their houses on their ancestral lands.”

The Committee notes with dismay “the plight and deprivation of the tea workers and deplores the feudalistic set up in the region to alienate tea workers from their basic land rights despite seven decades of independence which starkly undermines the clarion claims of 7 successful land reform movements in the country”.

It further notes that “the perpetual struggle of tea workers to seek rights for their own lands not only for living but even for burying their dead family members is unfortunate and saddening.”

It strongly recommends the Government to immediately undertake a detailed scrutiny by a dedicated body of eminent persons on the present status of land rights or ‘Parja-Patta’ of tea workers of the region and take corrective reform measures to ensure land rights to tea workers.

The report recommends that “a specific legislation needs to be enacted which recognizes the rights and ownership of small and marginalised tea workers to their ancestral lands and resources.”

Decent Living Wages for Tea Garden Workers

The Committee takes strong note of the “merger wages being paid to tea workers of Darjeeling and other areas of North Bengal, which is below the statutory threshold of minimum wage in the country.” It notes with concern that “insufficient wages which are minimal to the extent of not meeting the basic needs of workers manifests a severe crisis in the tea sector.”

The Committee recommends that the Government must take all efforts for the upward revision and fixation of a minimum daily wage of tea workers. The threshold of minimum wage should be fixed only after a consensus has been reached between tea planters and tea workers’ unions which would ensure the workers an adequate wage that increases their purchasing power and keeps pace with the cost of living.

The Committee also recommends the Government to expedite the implementation of Code on Wages, 2019 which would give a legal force and clarity on ‘in kind’ components and monetised value of facilities in a wage component.

Welfare Measures for Tea Workers

The Report has noted the abject working and inhumane living conditions of tea labourers and the blatant violation of socio-economic justice wherein workers, with many female workers have to endure an abysmal and dismal life with no access to basic amenities and living standards.

The report views that inadequacy and lack of political will in executing Plantations Labour Act, 1951 has led to deterioration of working standards of tea labourers. 

It recommends the Government to endeavour for ensuring welfare measures, health and housing benefits and decent working conditions for labourers in tea sector and implementation of Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 which would stipulate obligations for providing welfare benefits in both cash and kind components to the tea labourers.

Small Tea Growers

The committed has taken cognizance of the emergence of Small Tea Growers (STGs) as primary stakeholders in tea sector and the need to bring them under the purview of promotional schemes of Tea Board. The committee has proposed that a policy review to be done for making specific regulations for STGs produced tea as GI registered product at par with 87 tea estates.

The report also recommends that “Proper channels for marketing of tea for the tea growers should be devised and an e-auction centre should also be established in the Darjeeling district.”

The Committee report also recommends several structural changes in the functioning of Tea Board, disbursal of pending subsidies to tea gardens, and that the role of Tea Board should be redefined as a facilitator instead of a licenser.

Another important recommendation noted in the report is that “the Department should prepare a database of plantation workers at the earliest for extending welfare facilities to the targeted beneficiaries through Government Schemes or Direct Benefit Transfer.”

It also recommends “speedy implementation of Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions Code, 2020 which would stipulate obligations for providing welfare benefits in both cash and kind components to the tea labourers.”

Another important recommendation that the committee has made is that with women comprising the bulk of tea garden workers “warrants their empowerment by encouraging their participation in Tea Trade Unions and Associations. The presence of women labourers in decision making would thus ensure resolution of issues that concern their welfare and development. Also, anganwadi kendras for women and children, Ayush health and wellness centres, skill development centres and proper education facilities should be established and facilitated for the overall well-being of women labourers.”

It may be noted that Darjeeling MP Raju Bista was inducted as a member in the Committee constituted in 2021, and he has since actively pursued this Darjeeling and Dooars tea industry related issues in the Committee.

Besides representative of tea garden and planters’ associations, the following tea garden workers’ union and representative of Small Tea Gardens from Darjeeling Hills Teai and Dooars region have testified in the parliamentary committee meetings and their statements have duly been recorded and considered in the report.

• Darjeeling Terai Doars Chia Kaman Mazdur Union (DTDCKMU)
• National Union of Plantation Workers & Indian National Plantation Workers Federation (INPWF)
• Himalaya Plantation Workers Union (HPWU)
• Bharatiya Tea Workers Union (BTWU)
• All India Plantation Workers Federation & Cha Bagan Mazdur Union (AIPWFCBMU)
• Confederation of Indian Small Tea Growers Associations (CISTA)

You can download the detailed full copy of the report below

The post Parliamentary Standing Committee Scathing Findings on Darjeeling and Dooars Tea Industry – Recommends Legislative Action for Ensuring Parja Patta Rights and Other Reforms appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

Tea because of its ubiquitous nature, always marks its place on the table, no matter what the occasion or function. Tea is also one of the most important sources of revenue generation for West Bengal from the region.

Many a bureaucrat, intellectuals, corporates may have discussed several issues with a sip of it, but never speculated on the plight of tea labours.

Tea workers of the region are working below minimum wage, and over the years systematically all of their facilities have been stripped off. In order to support and sustain their family, they are forced to do small scale animal husbandry and horticulture. This is in addition to 12-14 hours of back-breaking labour every day.

The way the government perceive the tea labours seem to be, preferring to feed them by giving bits and pieces of fish, instead of allowing them to fish for themselves. This in itself just creates favourable conditions for the Estate owners but continues to keep the workers and their families perpetually poor and economically marginalised.

The Feudalistic and Capitalist governments are pushing Bengal Tea Estate back to 1859.

Today the condition of tea labours are more pathetic than what it was back in the day. The only means the workers have to have their voices heard is Prayers and Petitions, which the indifferent administrator don’t even bother to address.

Your Tea bushes are of more concern to them than to you

Should we continue to allow our families in tea gardens to be exploited this way??

The post DARJEELING TEA INDUSTRY: Prayers, Petitions and Pathological Indifference appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

सिन्कोनी अनि चियाबारी श्रमिकहरु गम्भीर समस्यामा!

सिन्कोना(Cinchona) अनि चिया बगान श्रमिकहरुको (E.P.F) भविष्य निधि कोषको आफ्नु(U.A.N) Universal Account Number संग आफ्नु आधार कार्ड संख्य Link नभएमा उक्त, श्रमिकहरुको मासिक कटौती ई,पी,एफ धनराशी 01 जुन 2021 देखि आफ्नु कोषमा जम्मा नहुने सरकार द्घारा अधिकारीक आदेश आए वापत सिन्कोना अनि चियाबारीको हजारौं श्रमिकहरु मार्कमा परेको छन् !

हजारौ श्रमिकहरुको आफ्नो आधार कार्डमा लेखिएको उमेर अनि आफ्नु नामको हिज्जे(Spelling) E.P.F अफिसको Record संग मेल नखाँदनै यो समस्याहरु देखा परेको हुन् अब यस्तो भुलहरुलाई संशोधन गर्न हो भने पहिला आ-आफ्नो आधार कार्डलाई संशोधन गरे पश्चयात मात्र उक्त, आधार कार्डको आधारमा E.P.F अफिसको Record लाई संशोधन गर्न सकिन्छन् ! दार्जीलिड पहाडमा आधार कार्ड खिच्ने केन्द्रहरु नभएको कारणले गर्दानै हजारौ श्रमिकहरुले उक्त समस्यहरु भोग्न परेको हुन्!

भविष्य निधि कोष केन्द्रिय योजना हो, केन्द्र सरकार अथवा राज्य सरकार संग सम्बन्धित रहेको जन प्रतिनिधिहरुले हजारौ श्रमिकहरुको गम्भीर समस्यहरु प्रति अवहेलना नगरी यथ शीध्र P.F Regional Commissioner अथवा उच्च अधिकारीहरु संग वहस गरि 15 जुन 2021 श्रमिकहरुको मासिक P.F धनराशी Deposit गर्ने मिति अगवै श्रमिकहरुको हितमा निष्कर्ष निकाल्न सके हजाकौ श्रमिकहरुले राहत पाँउने छन्!

श्रमिकहरुको समस्याहरु प्रति आज सम्म जन प्रतिनिधिहरुले अवहेलना गरेको कारणले गर्दानै उक्त, गम्भीर समस्याहरुमा फसेको ठान्छन् सिन्कोना अनि चियाबारीको हजारौं श्रमिकहरु!

Important Instructions

• Seeding of Aadhar is Mandatory for filing of ECR from 01.06.2021.

• Section 142 of the Code on Social Security, 2020, has been notified vide gazette notification No 1730(E) dated 30.04.2021 (copy of gazette notification is attached).

• Now, in accordance with the provisions of the above mentioned gazette notification, the monthly ECR shall be allowed to be filed only for those members, whose Aadhar numbers are seeded with UAN and verified, w.e.f 01.06.2021.

• In this regard, Establishments covered under EPFO are advised to ensure that the Aadhar is seeded in respect of all the contributory members, to enable them to avail uninterrupted services of the EPFO and to avoid any inconvenience.

• Employees can also seed their Aadhar number with the UAN.

• Employees can seed their Aadhar directly through the online e-KYC facility available on the member portal & UMANG App

• Further changes have been made in the Employer Unified Portal enabling the employer to upload the signed Digital Signature Certificate letter PDF through their login itself and once uploaded; the Signed DSC letter will be available with the field office for further necessary action.

• For further details visit www.epfindia.gov.in and ls you may contact us at ro.darjeeling@epfindia.gov.in

Writes: B K Rai

The post Cinchona and Tea Garden Workers Facing Grave Problems Due to Mismatch in Aadhar, EPF, and UAN Numbers appeared first on The Darjeeling Chronicle.

Random uprooting of tea bushes for the construction of road endangering the livelihood of locals has become a matter of worrisome which should not be encouraged at all. Our region is prone to frequent landslides during heavy rainfall. We are aware of the fact, Monsoon season is yet to begin however the local resident at Rangeet tea garden are already triggered with great fear because of incessant rainfall that occurred few days back.

But, we must see the present scenario of Rangeet tea garden from a bigger perspective

Tea tourism has become yet another tool to exploit the vulnerable community residing at tea garden.

Let’s not wait and watch until and unless the scenario turns from bad to worse. The local lives of tea labours, their jobs and hard earned property should not be jeopardized at any cost. The massive uprooting of tea bushes in the name of tea tourism will definitely have an adverse effect which no doubt results in the retrenchment of labour force in the due course of time.

A life at tea garden, their job and social security must be guaranteed, ensured and prioritized.

We welcome tea tourism policy whole heartily with the adequate enforcement of standard protocols and norms on the allocable vacant land without zero compromise in the plantation area. As specified, the prime objective of the policy is “to enhance investment for generating employment opportunities for the local community for their inclusive sustainable economic development and prosperity without any hindrance to the social-fabric and ecology.” We wish our region to flourish into prosperity however development at the verge of risks of lives, loss of property and damage to environment will not tolerated be at all.

It just make me wonder why all the enforcement are blind towards such wrong practices, how and who have given them a clearance and approval is itself a big question.

Why such violation of guiding principles specified under tea tourism policy is not taken seriously by the concerned authority.

I don’t know what destiny holds for the people of tea garden in future but definitely its a terrible question seeking answers for generation after generation which need to be addressed by our electoral representatives and the intellectual section of our society.

The chapter of hundred years of dire suppression and exploitation, extraction of blood and sweat of human history must be closed with a new beginning of life with dignity.

Writes: Jatan Rai

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The problem among the tribal household had been long before the outbreak of disease. The closure of tea industries with limited scope for livelihood choices had already made the livelihoods vulnerable. Poor housing, low standard of living and very little scope for improving the livelihood conditions had plagued the tribal population much before the disease actually affected them. The serious failure of institutional mechanism to make the tribal livelihood stable was clearly visible prior to COVID. No serious action had been taken to improve the living conditions of the tribal belts in Duars region except for serious planning just before the election to get the votes. Now the similar process has already begun with day and night planning for acquiring the votes of the tribal population by making the false promises for the upcoming elections.

The problem of the tribal households have been multiple. Poor living standards and low level of education have been the common characteristics. COVID has in fact intensified the problem of the households where the poor children are not being able to attend their classes (digital) as the households are not able to afford the necessary condition required for attending it. The poor children are just able to hear about the digital classes being conducted elsewhere. The most important of all has been inability to meet the daily needs due to unemployment. The women forms an important contributor to the household income among the tribal population. Contribution made  the women as a maid in the urban households have been lost owing to the fear of transmission of disease by the masters who employed them. Now one can well imagine a situation where the only source of income has been constricted and the family of five on an average are to be fed without an employment.

The government has been stressing on PDS ( Public Distribution System) for the households but that too has not been very sufficient among on the households. PDS just supplies the grain which needs to be supplemented by Pulses or a green vegetables to be served on the plate for meeting the required nourishment. However, with the rising prices of green vegetables and unaffordable prices of pulses make the households to have their meal with a plate of Rice and Green chillies. As reported by Amir Munda, a tea worker  “ I don’t mind having my meal with green chillies and salt but my children cannot take this and I serve them with water and salt”.

This has not been today’s problem among the tribal households. They had already been under such stress much before the Tea Estates were shut down and the government did not take any initiatives to revive them. Majority of the abled members then had to migrate to distant towns for their livelihood with meagre saving which formed the part of remittances. After  the sudden lockdown, all these migrants returned home and are left with no choice but to see the starving children and malnourished parents at their native places.

There has been clear Institutional failure in terms of making the lives and the livelihood vulnerable among the tribal households of Duars. Failing to revive the tea industries before it got completely shut down was the biggest failure. The second failure of the government was it’s inability to provide alternative livelihood sources or to take the initiatives that would secure at least the nourished diet for the tribal population that has been hard hit by livelihood crisis. Besides this the failure of several government and semi government Institutions like banks, SHG’s and other micro financing institutions to have easy access to loans.  The problem has been very severe among the households with more dependent and old aged members in the family. The fear of disease have even kept the government inspections away from vigilance department especially in case of PDS system and MGNREGA which could have been the important livelihood sources. There must be an immediate actions and long term policies to be made keeping in mind the households that have been suffering from long term economic and health crisis before it becomes too late to mend.

Writes: Bipul Chhetri

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Today the world is in limbo, where future seems unprecedented, people in the hills, all over the country and abroad takes some sort of natural immunity booster by drinking Tea. In some cases it makes us feel high, a sense of relief and energize our body. Black, Green, white and oolong are some of the varieties found in Darjeeling hills and surrounding areas. The most common Phrase in Nepali “Luhai Chiya khaidhew” can be heard whether it is summer nor winter, community gatherings and social activities (as of now prohibited). “Chiya and Biskut” is the most common and commonality to each other. Basically, everyone has their own preference and ways of drinking Tea, sometimes consuming more Tea rather than Water.

The Origin Story of the Tea is widely speculative, from what I heard is that the monk was meditating in the forest when suddenly a leaf fell into the boiling water and changed its colour. So wondering what it is, the monk than drank the liquid and felt more focused and energized. Then what happens next, is what we are today experiencing, “Chiya and Biskut”. We are from a place where Tea garden is in our back yard and with which our economics starts and ends.

Tea industry in Darjeeling dates way back, our ancestor’s worked in the plantation and earned a living, nevertheless our main foundation was built on it. In today’s circumstance, we must probably give our huge respect to the workers in Tea Garden, who are working tirelessly for the benefit of all. Without doubt this workers are no less important than most other essential professionals who have made us proud in this present time. While in heavy rain, or thunderstorm, be it a sunny day with most scorching heat on top of their head they are always working in the fields.

While most of us lay asleep in our comfy bed, they are to report their workday at 7 am sharp. When Rooster crows to break the dawn a symphony of the chime can be heard to which they wake up, hurriedly following their morning routine so as to report their duty on time. It can be said that these are some hardships with which they live rather happily. A mere wage of 150-200 rupees a day, the earnings are one thing considered to be increased without much hesitation.

The tea industry is well in true an essential commodity from way back – till today, it is the backbone of our region economically, socially and acculturation where future seems promising. We need to keep our precious heritage well in check for sustainable development and for most importantly “Chiya and Parle-G Biskut”.

Writer : Prasan Syangbo

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जोन बारलालको घर बानरहाट थाना अन्तर्गत लखीपाडा चियाबारीको विघा लाईनमा पर्छ । उनी यस चियाबारीका एक जना चिया श्रमिक टेकटर खलासीको रुपमा २००७ सालसम्म कमानमा कार्यरत थिए । घर परिवारमा आर्थिक संकटको कारण अंगे्रजी स्कुलमा पढदा पढदै बीचमानै स्कुल छोडन परयो । र पछी श्रमिकको रुपमा चियाबारीको टेकटर खलासी बन्न परेको कुरा बारलाले बताए । शनिबार दिउसो अतितका दिनहरुलाई याद गर्दै आज अलिपुरद्वार भाजपा सांसद सांसद जोन बारलाले श्रमिकहरुसित गएर पती ओजन गर्ने काम गरे । आफनु वितेका दिनहरुमा चियाबारीमा एक जना कुल्लीको रुपमा काम गरेको दुरदिनलाई बारला आज पनि सम्झना गर्छन ।

सांसद जोन बारलाले सहकर्मीहरु मनी दर्जी, पवन लोहार किरण सुनवार राजु दाससित लखीपाडा चियाबारीको फेकट्रीमा गएर कुल्लीहरुसित पती ओजन गर्ने काम सांसदले गरेको हिमालय दर्पणलाई जानकारी गराएका छन । सांसद जोन बारलाले आज उक्त काम गरेर आफु एक जना खाँटी चियाबारी श्रमिक नेता रहेको सन्देश दिन चाहेको बुभिएको छ । जोन बारलाको राजनीतिक पृष्ठभूमीलाई निहाल्दा पनि बारला एक जना चिया श्रमिक नेतानै रहेको पाईन्छ । १९९५ सालदेखि २००७ सालसम्म उनले लखीपाडा चियाबारीमा एक चिया श्रमिकको रुपमा काम गरेको बताउछन ।

घर परिवारमा आर्थिक संकट रहेकोले उनी बानरहाटको एक अंग्रेजी माध्यमको स्कुलमा पढने गर्थे तर माता पितको कमानमा हाँजिरा कम थियो । जसले गर्दा अघिको पढाई आर्थिक तङगीको कारण जारी राख्नु सकिन र बाध्य भएर चियाबारीमा काम गर्न परयो । लगातार काम गर्न थाले पछी आफुलाई थाह भयो कि चियाबारीमा काम गरेको आयले कस्तो जीवन जीउन सकिने रहेछ । उनले धेरै दुख कष्ठ भोग्नु परयो । श्रमिकहरुको दुख कष्ठलाई आफ एक जना श्रमिक रहेकाले नजीकबाट अनुभव गर्न सकेको बारला बताउछन । यसै कारण श्रमिकहरुको हक अनि अधिकारको निम्ति आफुले २००७ सालमा आदिवासीहरुको समाजिक संगठन विकास परिषदको माध्यमबाट श्रमिकहरुको अधिकारको निम्ति आवाज उठाउन परेको तिनी बताउछन । यसैक्रममा विकास परिषदको आन्दोलनले सरकारलाई निकै प्रभाव पारेवापतनै डुवर्स क्षेत्रमा केही विकास पनि भयो ।

उदाहरणस्वरुप बानरहाट मोराघाटमा बनिएको कार्ति हिन्दी कलेज, हिन्दीमा प्रश्नपत्र आदि बारालको दाबी छ ।

डुवर्सको विषबारे बोलदै आज अलिपुरद्वार भाजपा सांसद जोन बारलाले भने म पनि एक दिन टेकटरको खलासी थिएँ । आज आएर सांसद बनेको छु । र मेरो पहिलो कर्तव्य हो । चिया श्रमिकहरुको हक अनि अधिकारलाई सरकार समक्ष उठाएर त्यसको समाधान गर्नु । यसमा एक नम्बर छ चिया श्रमिकहरको न्यूनतम हाँजिरा । जबसम्म चिया श्रमिकहरुको हाँजिरा बढदैन ।

आदिवासी समाजको कहिले पनि उत्थान हुदैन । कारण आज पनि चिया श्रमिकहरुको परिवारको राम्रो शिक्षा दिक्षा हुन सकदेन । यसको एक मात्र कारण श्रमिकहरुको हाँजिरा हो । जनु हाँजिरा श्रमिकहले पाउछ । त्यसले घर पनि चलाउन सारो पर्छ । जुन कुरा आफु स्वयंले भोगेको सांसद बताउछन । जबसम्म हाम्रा नानीहरुको राम्रो शिक्षा स्तर हुदैन । तबसम्म डुवर्स तराईबाट कुनै पनि आदिवासी नानीहरुको बीडीओ, इन्जिनीयर, डाकटर बन्न सकदैन । यसको निम्ति न्यूनतम हाँजीरी आवश्यक छ । जुन दिन चिया श्रमिकहरुको हाँजिरा बढछ । त्यस दिनदेखि आदिवासी समाजको समाजिक आर्थिक अनि सांस्कृति अवस्थाको उत्थान अनि विकास भएर जाने सांसदले बताए । यसैको निम्ति आफनु शच प्रतिशत प्रयास रहने बताउदै सबैलाई आदि कवि भानु जयनतीको

उपलक्ष्यमा शुभकामना व्यक्त गर्दै तराई डुवर्स अनि दार्जिलिङ पाहडमा शान्ति अनि भाईचार बनी रहने सन्देश पनि सांसदले आज दिएका छन ।

Special Report: Band Poudel

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