The Hindu Business Line : Reopening of 2 Dooars estates on June 29 unlikely

Mr O.P. Agarwal, Chairman of Ambo Exports, which has acquired the Bharnobari tea estate from the Poddars for reopening and running, told Business Line over phone from the garden that the reopening on June 29 looked doubtful. "I plan to talk to the Minister about it shortly," he added.

According to him, there are many issues to be resolved before the garden could be reopened.

"There are huge old liabilities in the form of unpaid electricity bills, agricultural cess and dues to the workers," he said.

"Our people are now in the garden and assessing the ground realities."

The Bharnobari estate, over a total area of 725 hectares, employs 1,856 people.

The reopening of the Redbank tea estate, under liquidation since 2005, looks even more complicated.

The owner's bid to enter the garden on Tuesday, it is reported, was unsuccessful as a section of workers, owing allegiance to CITU, allegedly manhandled him and his wife.

However, CITU sources said that the owner never discussed the reopening issue with the union and there were many issues to discuss prior to reopening.

It was also stated that the owner wanted to reopen the garden with the help of some workers, reportedly supporters of the rival National Union of Plantation Workers

Labour union sources also wanted to know whether a garden under liquidation as per court orders could be reopened like this.

The Redbank estate, over a total area of 368 hectares, employs 881 people.

It might be recalled that much against his wishes, Mr Jairam Ramesh could not be present at the reopening of another closed garden - Surendranagar - in the Dooars on May 17.

At the insistence of local trade unions, the West Bengal Government had asked the Union Minister to cancel his visit.

Mr Ramesh is likely to be in the Dooars on June 29 for the signing of loan agreements under Special Tea Purpose Fund.

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Reopening of 2 Dooars estates on June 29 unlikely