Jalpaiguri, Dec. 11: The estate is a good vantage point for watching the sun rise and set and the British owners had named it Look Sun.

But things were not so sunny for workers of the sick Look Sun or Looksan tea estate till yesterday, when Giriraj Plantations Pvt. Ltd took charge of the garden, with the promise to pay back the dues of Rs 2.61 crore.

All the 892 workers and their dependants greeted the new owners with a warm welcome. ?We did not have an owner for decades. We promise to try our best, but our dues should be cleared within six months,? said Saraswati Tanti, a worker at the estate.

Founded in 1885 by Nidam Tea Company, Looksan changed hands in 1960 when Peshak Tea Company took it over. ?Trouble started in the 70s. In 1985, the estate was handed over to Tea Trading Corporation of India (TTCI), an undertaking of the central industry and commerce ministry,? said Ashu Sarkar, vice-president of the Citu-affiliated Cha Bagan Mazdoor Union (CBMU). The tea trading corporation allegedly made no investments for the garden and in 1987, the CBMU filed a case against it.

?Following it, the court appointed a special officer, Samar Basu, and instructed him to run the estate on his own. TTCI lost all control over the estate,? Sarkar said. ?In 2003, after the TTCI was declared bankrupt, a notice was issued, inviting prospective investors.?

?Giriraj Plantations promised to clear the workers? dues,? said Bishnulal Subba, a member of the CBMU central executive committee. On December 5, Calcutta High Court declared that the company could take charge of the garden.

Sushil Berlia of Giriraj said they have paid back the debt to the bank and the club.