CM Suvendu Adhikari announces Rs 313.30 crore Pradhan Mantri Cha Shramik Protsahan Yojana for West Bengal tea workers
Kolkata, July 5
West Bengal Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari on Sunday announced the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Cha Shramik Protsahan Yojana with a total financial allocation of Rs 313.30 crore aimed at improving education, healthcare and welfare infrastructure for tea garden workers in North Bengal.
In a post on X, Adhikari said the State Level Committee had finalised the implementation plan for the scheme, which seeks to bring comprehensive development to tea garden workers and their families.
"We are committed to the comprehensive welfare, development of health and educational parameters of our hard-working tea garden workers of North Bengal. To ensure expeditious and smooth progress, our State Level Committee recently finalised the implementation plan for the 'Pradhan Mantri Cha Shramik Protsahan Yojana' (PMCSPY) scheme," Adhikari said.
According to the Chief Minister, the scheme includes three key components. Under the Cha Shramik Shiksha Yojana (CSSY), Rs 177 crore has been earmarked to strengthen educational infrastructure and improve learning opportunities for families of tea workers.
The Cha Shramik Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (CSSSY) has been allocated Rs 72 crore to upgrade healthcare facilities and enhance medical services across tea garden regions.
Additionally, Rs 63 crore has been sanctioned under the Cha Shramik Aashray Yojana (CSAY) for the construction of 321 resting sheds, including 88 in the hills and 233 in the plains. The facilities will be equipped with off-grid solar power, clean drinking water, seating arrangements and ceramic-floored toilets.
Adhikari said the North Bengal Development Department (NBDD) will serve as the nodal implementing agency and will coordinate with the Health Department, Paschim Banga Samagra Siksha Mission and district administrations for smooth execution.
"Our Government remains steadfast in its dedication to the prosperity and well-being of the Tea Garden Workers," he added.
Earlier, on July 1, the West Bengal government launched the Annapurna Scheme, under which financial assistance was transferred to women beneficiaries through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), while also rolling out the Viksit Bharat-Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (VB-G RAM G) Act in the state.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally something concrete for the tea belt of Bengal. The ₹177 crore for education will help break the cycle of poverty for children of tea workers. But I wish the healthcare allocation was higher - ₹72 crore seems low when you consider the prevalence of malnutrition and diseases in these areas. Still, a step forward.
हो... so Adhikari announced this after taking over? Good timing election ke pehle. But seriously, these workers have been neglected for decades - British times se cha bagans mein exploitation, then Mamata didi's government uhh... any initiative that gives them basic facilities like resting sheds with toilets is welcome. Let's hope implementation is real, not just paper mein.
This is the kind of targeted infrastructure spending India needs more of. ₹63 crore for 321 resting sheds with solar and clean water is practical. My concern: Will the NBDD have the capacity to coordinate across multiple departments effectively? In my experience working on similar projects in Bihar, inter-departmental coordination is always the Achilles' heel. Let's hope West Bengal does better.
I'm from Siliguri and tea garden workers are the backbone of our region's economy. They work so hard in extreme conditions for very little. This scheme sounds good on paper - especially the education part because their kids often drop out early to work. But I want to see actual timelines and accountability. Will the sheds be ready before monsoon next year? Will teachers be posted to upgraded schools? Implementation is the key, babudom ka kya hoga?
Can't ignore the politics here - Adhikari
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