Darjeeling, Nov. 4: Even as the controversy regarding the setting up of a tea auction centre in Jalpaiguri rages, labour unions in the Darjeeling hills have also made a similar demand.
The unions, owing affiliation to various political hues, are clamouring for the opening of a centre here because it “offers various advantages for the beleaguered industry”.
The purity of the produce can be improved and the role of the middlemen can be restricted if there are more interactions between the buyers and sellers, according to the unions.
The demand for the centre also comes in the wake of a spurt in the spurious Darjeeling tea racket, which has flooded both domestic and international market.
For instance, though the hills produce only about 10 million kg annually, but about 40 million kg is marketed world-wide as Darjeeling tea.
“The setting up of a centre can curb this malpractice. Moreover, the quality of our produce can be improved. We have proposed this to the members of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Commerce in October and they have promised to look into the matter,” said N.K. Kumai, president, GNLF-affiliated Himalayan Plantation Workers’ Union (HPWU).
The Opposition, led by the CPRM-affiliated Darjeeling Terai Dooars Cha Kaman Mazdoor Union, in the hills has also supported the issue.
“We plan to hold a meeting with the Congress and Akhil Bharatiya Gorkha League on November 12 to decide on our next course of action,” said D.S. Bomzon, a senior CPRM leader.
The Congress’ National Union of Plantation Workers (NUPW) and the ABGL’s Darjeeling Chia Kaman Sramik Sangh have also made their stance clear to the standing committee members.
The CPM has, however, refused to make any “prior commitments”. “We prefer to wait and watch,” said S.P. Lepcha, senior CPM leader and Darjeeling MP. Party insiders, however, maintained that the Siliguri-Jalpaiguri row over the auction centre issue has deepened because of the differences among the CPM top brass. It is learnt that the party would not like to commit to the cause, which can largely be construed as a populist move. At present, north Bengal boasts of only one auction centre, which is located at Siliguri.
