Congress accuses TMC government of taking soft stand on BJP

The TMC took a "soft stand" towards the BJP government at the Centre even though it failed to address the problems faced by the tea gardens.

Kolkata: The TMC government took a "soft stand" towards the BJP government at the Centre even though it failed to address the problems faced by the tea gardens in West Bengal, Congress leader Manas Bhuniya alleged on Tuesday.

Bhuniya made the allegation after state Labour Minister Moloy Ghatak avoided answering his question in the Assembly on the steps taken by the Centre for addressing the problems of the tea sector and unemployment.

Bhuniya told reporters outside the Assembly, "I do not know why the minister is not blaming the Centre though it had not taken adequate steps to resolve the two crises. Ghatak told the Assembly that there was no report of closure of any new tea garden and unemployment."

Bhuiyan had posed a question on the number of unemployed persons till April, 2016 to the labour minister during a calling attention motion in the Assembly.

To another question, Ghatak informed the Assembly that there were six closed tea gardens in north Bengal whose lease had been cancelled by the state and were involved in litigations.

On the revival of seven tea gardens of the Duncans' group, Ghatak said the bids invited by the Centre had not received any response.

Bhuiyan says he supports the ban on liquor in West Bengal though the state's earning from excise duty is rising due to liberal attitude of the government.