Siliguri, Nov. 28: Labour minister Malay Ghatak today denied allegations that there had been deaths from malnutrition and lack of treatment in closed tea gardens and asserted that the government was trying its best to provide relief.

He said the government was making efforts to reopen gardens and was in talks with the Duncans group to ensure that its estates functioned properly.

Ghatak, who inaugurated a health camp organised at Kiran Chandra Tea Estate in Naxalbari, 25km from Siliguri, said: "It is sad that there have been deaths in tea estates. But none of these deaths were from malnutrition or lack of treatment. All residents of closed and ailing gardens in north Bengal are being provided food grains, medical care and other facilities by the government."

Asked about the Duncans group, the minister said: "Our department is holding regular meetings with representatives of the company. We want the company to ensure that its gardens run normally and workers are provided their dues and entitlements on a regular basis."