Reviving Hope: As Trinamool and BJP Unite to Support Workers of Closed Tea Gardens, Empower Women-Led Cooperatives to Forge Their Own Path
In a poignant struggle for survival, the women of Garganda Tea Garden in Alipurduar district, West Bengal, are rallying to establish a cooperative aimed at revitalizing a struggling tea garden. Among them is Basanti Naik, a 51-year-old widow whose late husband, Gunjan Naik, worked in the very garden before his passing in June 2025. With the tea garden’s operations marred by erratic wage payments from the Merico Group, Basanti finds herself reliant on government aid, particularly the food grains provided through her Antoday Anna Yojana (AAY) card.
Basanti’s health has deteriorated to the point where she’s too frail to work, underscoring the dire situation many workers face in the garden. Despite not being officially closed, the garden’s financial struggles have left its workers without essential support. As a result, they are ineligible for assistance under the Financial Assistance to the Workers of Locked Out Industries (FAWLOI) scheme, which is reserved for those in officially closed tea gardens. The only financial relief Basanti receives is a modest sum of ₹1,500 from the West Bengal government’s Lakshmir Bhandar scheme.
The cooperative that the women of Garganda Tea Garden aspire to create represents hope amid hardship. By banding together, they aim to seize control over their livelihoods, fostering a sustainable model that can benefit the community. This grassroots effort highlights the resilience of these women and their determination to secure a stable future for themselves and their families.
The plight of workers like Basanti Naik is emblematic of larger systemic issues in the tea industry, where many laborers remain vulnerable due to irregular wages and insufficient support from both businesses and government policies. The situation at Garganda Tea Garden raises critical questions about the sustainability of tea cultivation in West Bengal and the welfare of its workers. Advocacy for worker rights and improved living conditions remains essential in ensuring that those who produce the state’s famed tea are treated with dignity and respect.
As these women embark on their journey to establish the cooperative, they are not just fighting for economic survival; they are striving for empowerment and a voice in an industry that has long marginalized them. Their efforts may serve as a beacon for other tea gardens facing similar challenges, illustrating that change is possible through collaboration and solidarity.
In the face of adversity, the women of Garganda Tea Garden are standing strong, embodying the spirit of resilience that defines their community. Their story is not just one of struggle; it is also one of hope, determination, and the potential for a brighter future through collective action.
As public awareness grows, it is crucial for stakeholders to recognize the needs of these workers and support initiatives that seek to improve their livelihoods. The establishment of a cooperative is a significant step towards financial independence, potentially transforming the landscape of the tea industry in West Bengal for generations to come.
Original Source: https://www.thehindu.com/elections/west-bengal-assembly/as-trinamool-bjp-reach-out-to-workers-of-closed-tea-gardens-women-led-cooperatives-chart-independent-course/article70885455.ece
Category : West Bengal
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Publish Date: 2026-04-21 22:15:00
