CM Mamata: No commercial use on Darjeeling tea land, violators to lose property

The West Bengal government has decided to lease six closed tea gardens for three years, with a provision to extend the lease to 30 years if they operate successfully. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee announced the move, aiming to revive the tea industry while ensuring job security for local workers. She assured that 80% of jobs in these estates will be reserved for local workers, addressing concerns about employment opportunities in the region.

Banerjee also confirmed that 26,000 land pattas (land rights) will be distributed to tea garden workers, improving their land security and livelihoods. Additionally, she ruled out freehold land transfers for tea gardens, stating that land designated for tea cultivation will not be repurposed for commercial activities. “No compromise will be made on tea cultivation. Only non-tea land is being considered for commercial use, and no individual will be given more than 30 acres of land at a time,” she stated.

To prevent land misuse, Banerjee warned that if land is acquired for commercial purposes but a tea plantation is not developed as required, the government will reclaim it. The policy aims to protect the tea industry, prevent land speculation, and ensure that tea estate workers continue to benefit from government initiatives. The state government has assured strict monitoring and transparency in the land allocation process to uphold the region’s tea production legacy.