The state labour department on Friday introduced the “Chokher Alo” project, under which free eye check-ups, specs and even cataract surgery are provided to economically weaker people, for tea garden workers of north Bengal.
“The scheme has been introduced for tea workers. We would like to request the workers to attend the free eye check-up camps which would be held in tea gardens. Any worker who needs specs or cataract surgery can avail the service free of cost,” said state labour minister Moloy Ghatak as he formally launched the scheme for tea garden workers at a programme near Siliguri on Friday.
The event was held at the football ground of Dagapur tea estate, on the northern outskirts of the city. The minister said eye camps, followed by the supply of specs and the surgery, would continue till December 31. The scheme was launched by chief minister Mamata Banerjee in 2021.
“The idea is to cover all tea workers by December 31. The decision was made at a meeting of the tea advisory council of the state government held recently on the premises of the Bengal Assembly. The scheme will benefit around three lakh workers serving in 270-odd tea plantations of the region,” Ghatak added.
He said the daily wage of tea workers was Rs 67 when Mamata Banerjee had assumed the chief minister’s office in 2011.
“It is Rs 250 now. Besides, the state government opened 42 sub-health centres and 71 crèches in tea gardens. Further, 11,000 houses have been built under the ‘Cha Sundari’ scheme in the tea belt,” said Ghatak.
The minister also raised questions against the Narendra Modi government and accused the BJP and its legislators from north Bengal of making only hollow promises.
“The Centre had announced in 2021 that Rs 1,000 crore would be spent for the development of women and children living in tea estates. Not a penny has been disbursed so far. Also, party leaders and elected representatives had made tall talks to reopen closed gardens but didn’t take any initiative. We, on the other hand, have reopened a number of gardens,” he said.