DTA apprehends law and order problem over bonus issue

Apprehending law and order problems in tea plantations in the Hills over the issue of bonus, the Darjeeling Tea Association (DTA) has served a memorandum to the district administration.

The DTA office bearers met both the Darjeeling District Magistrate and Superintendent of police recently after the planters decided that they would pay bonus at the rate of 8.33 per cent for the accounting year 2022-23.

“Since Darjeeling Tea industry has been facing severe financial problems over the past few years, planters are in no position to pay bonus more than 8.33 per cent. Apprehending law and order problem on bonus issue a delegation has served a memorandum to the DM and SP urging to ensure safety and security of managerial staff,” said principal advisor of DTA Sandeep Mukherjee.

Notably, tea workers have been demanding Puja bonus at the rate of 20 per cent since they had received 20 per cent bonus last year.

Only the Dalgaon Tea Estate in the Dooars has paid bonus at the rate of 20 per cent just to maintain better relationship between management and workers and avoid law and order problems.