A division bench of the Kolkata High Court headed by the
Chief Justice today ordered Paschim Banga Khet Majoor Samity (PBKMS) to seek the
intervention of the State Legal Services Authority through Lok Adalats to mitigate
the problems of tea workers.
PBKMS had filed a writ petition (WP-4225W/2016) before the
High Court highlighting the problems of tea garden worker , arising from the
present crisis in the industry as well as long term issues. Shri Bikash
Bhattacharya, senior advocate , intervened on behalf of PBKMS.
The petition focused on the non-compliance by employers,
State and Central Governments of the provisions of the Tea Act, Plantation Labour
Act , Employees Provident Fund Act and Minimum Wages Act. It asked the court to
ensure that conditions are created to ensure each tea worker gets a food intake
of at least 2400 calories per day. It also asked for immediate relief for tea
garden population in the form of Antodaya Anna Yojana, MGNREGA work and wages,
health facilities, drinking water and electricity. Respondents were State and
Central Governments, the Tea Board and employers such as Duncans India Limited.
The Chief Justice has given a time of two weeks for the
petitioner to seek and receive help from the Lok Adalat process. If such relief
is not received, the case will be heard once again by the division bench at the
end of the month.
PBKMS is hopeful that the Lok Adalats will give some
immediate relief to the tea garden population, but it is of the view that some
of the problems, such as ignoring of the minimum wage issue by employers and
the State Gsssovernment will require further serious intervention by the Court.
Uttam Gaine
General Secretary
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