DARJEELING, 5 NOV: Kanchenview Tea Plantation, which has been closed since 8 May 2009, today received government approval to reopen. The plantation near Darjeeling was closed after the manager was reportedly assaulted by workers.
"All the previous disagreements between the administration and the workers that had hindered the reopening of the plantation have been cleared," said Darjeeling Terai Dooars Plantation Labor Union (DTDPLU) President P T Sherpa.
"So the government today has given the green light to officially restart the work and will provide all the benefits to the workers," said Mr Sherpa. He also mentioned that a new manager, Mr Sudan Gurung, from Happy Valley, has been appointed to take over the management.
The plantation has 160 workers, but those who have shifted their residence or no longer desire to work there, will be provided a final notice on 15 December to submit their objections, said Mr Sherpa. Then new recruitment will commence, he said.
Once Kanchenview reopens, the only Darjeeling tea plantation remaining closed will be the Ringtong Tea Garden, which has been locked up since 1996 when a fire was reported in the factory. A faction of the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha DTDPLU has time and again alleged that the firm will not allow the reopening of the garden until the owner clears liabilities of more than Rs 5 crore and reallocates 944 workers.
"We will soon schedule a meet with the Darjeeling district magistrate regarding" Ring Tong, Mr Sherpa said.
Darjeeling has 87 tea estates, covering an area of 21,750 hectares, which produce Darjeeling tea. Tea from Darjeeling makes up 3 per cent of India's total tea production. Darjeeling tea has a worldwide reputation for excellence, and is especially highly respected in Europe and Japan. Last year, the European Commission granted Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status for Darjeeling tea, meaning that teas from other regions can't be sold under that label in Europe. It was the first Indian product to win PGI protection. "The savoire-faire and acquired skills employed by producers as well as the pedo-climatic features and geographical environment of the geographical area ... significantly affect the product's characteristics and constitute the core of its reputation," the European Commission found. So, "The name 'Darjeeling' should only be used as a sales designation for tea that is wholly produced in the geographical area." Last month, the Tea Board of India and the European Tea Committee signed a joint communique, agreeing to work together to raise awareness in the European Union about this protection. The "Darjeeling" label for tea is also protected in Japan, the USA, and other countries.
"All the previous disagreements between the administration and the workers that had hindered the reopening of the plantation have been cleared," said Darjeeling Terai Dooars Plantation Labor Union (DTDPLU) President P T Sherpa.
"So the government today has given the green light to officially restart the work and will provide all the benefits to the workers," said Mr Sherpa. He also mentioned that a new manager, Mr Sudan Gurung, from Happy Valley, has been appointed to take over the management.
The plantation has 160 workers, but those who have shifted their residence or no longer desire to work there, will be provided a final notice on 15 December to submit their objections, said Mr Sherpa. Then new recruitment will commence, he said.
Once Kanchenview reopens, the only Darjeeling tea plantation remaining closed will be the Ringtong Tea Garden, which has been locked up since 1996 when a fire was reported in the factory. A faction of the Gorkha Jan Mukti Morcha DTDPLU has time and again alleged that the firm will not allow the reopening of the garden until the owner clears liabilities of more than Rs 5 crore and reallocates 944 workers.
"We will soon schedule a meet with the Darjeeling district magistrate regarding" Ring Tong, Mr Sherpa said.
Darjeeling has 87 tea estates, covering an area of 21,750 hectares, which produce Darjeeling tea. Tea from Darjeeling makes up 3 per cent of India's total tea production. Darjeeling tea has a worldwide reputation for excellence, and is especially highly respected in Europe and Japan. Last year, the European Commission granted Protected Geographical Indication (PGI) status for Darjeeling tea, meaning that teas from other regions can't be sold under that label in Europe. It was the first Indian product to win PGI protection. "The savoire-faire and acquired skills employed by producers as well as the pedo-climatic features and geographical environment of the geographical area ... significantly affect the product's characteristics and constitute the core of its reputation," the European Commission found. So, "The name 'Darjeeling' should only be used as a sales designation for tea that is wholly produced in the geographical area." Last month, the Tea Board of India and the European Tea Committee signed a joint communique, agreeing to work together to raise awareness in the European Union about this protection. The "Darjeeling" label for tea is also protected in Japan, the USA, and other countries.
SNS.
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