Bengal Budget signals positive change, says Indian Gorkha Janshakti Front chief Ajay Edwards. IGJF chief coordinator Edwards has termed the new budget presented by the West Bengal government as a balanced and visionary budget and congratulated the Chief Minister, Finance Minister and the newly formed government. In a press release issued on his social media on Monday, Edwards said that the first budget of the new government has presented a positive direction to maintain a balance between social welfare, investment, trade and employment. He welcomed the announcement of establishing a medical college for Kalimpong in the budget, increase in dearness allowance (DA) of government employees, increase in remuneration of ASHA workers and civic volunteers, special emphasis on health, education, women and employment sectors, encouragement of investment and employment-generating industries, and the decision to reduce the limit on using tea garden land for alternative commercial purposes from 30 percent to 15 percent as positive steps.
He expressed confidence that the announcement of establishing a medical college in Kalimpong, in particular, would make a significant contribution to expanding healthcare services, medical education and employment opportunities in the entire hilly region. Similarly, he said that the increase in facilities for ASHA workers, civic volunteers and government employees shows respect for those who are contributing to state service.
Welcoming the decision to reduce the limit on tea plantation land that can be used for alternative commercial activities from 30 percent to 15 percent, Edwards said responsible investment could create new opportunities for tourism, industry and employment. However, he stressed that the people who have lived and worked on those plantations for generations should also be recognized as stakeholders. He said that every development project should be conducted on the basis of mutual benefit between investors, workers and local residents, and that priority should be given to local employment, skills development, contracts and the protection of community rights.
However, he expressed disappointment over the lack of a clear announcement regarding the minimum wage for tea workers in the budget. According to him, workers who currently earn around Rs 220 per day (after PF deductions) are facing difficulties in providing a dignified life to their families. Similarly, he expressed dissatisfaction over the lack of a clear plan in the budget for the revival, modernization of cinchona plantations and the safety of workers working there. Edwards has urged the Chief Minister and Finance Minister to consider the issues related to the minimum wage for tea workers and the revival of cinchona plantations with sensitivity and priority.
He said that the Indian Gurkha Janshakti Front will work actively with local legislators, MPs, relevant ministers and the state government to work on issues such as minimum wages for tea workers, revitalization of cinchona plantations and protection of local community rights in tea estate development projects. “Our role will not be limited to criticizing from afar. We will present practical proposals to the government and constructively collaborate with every public representative who is willing to help on issues of public interest,” Edwards said.
Stating that these issues are not related to any political party but are related to the respect, livelihood and future of the entire people, he expressed the view that while investment, trade and employment growth are necessary, tea workers, cinchona workers and plantation communities should be promoted as equal partners.
