Kolkata, 03 August (H.S.): West Bengal Labour and Transport Minister Moloy Ghatak on Monday visited the Cinchona Directorate in the Darjeeling-Kalimpong region and reviewed diversification initiatives, operational issues and the welfare of plantation workers.

The minister was accompanied by Darjeeling MP Raju Bista and Minister of State Bishal Lama. The delegation visited Herbal Heaven, the Cinchona Nursery, the Cymbidium Orchid Nursery, Kiwi Bari and other horticultural facilities. They also inspected orange grafting projects and strawberry nurseries, which are part of the Directorate's efforts to diversify beyond traditional quinine cultivation into medicinal plants, floriculture and horticulture.

A review meeting was later held in the presence of Tourism and Parliamentary Affairs Minister Shankar Ghosh, MP Raju Bista, Minister of State Bishal Lama, Bimal Gurung, legislators, representatives of Cinchona workers' unions, the Darjeeling District Magistrate, the Principal Secretary of the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) and senior government officials.

During the meeting, the minister was briefed on long-pending issues concerning plantation workers, particularly wages and service conditions. He assured that the state government would take necessary steps to ensure payment of minimum wages to eligible workers. He also acknowledged concerns over the Dearness Allowance remaining unchanged since 2012 and said the issue would be examined.

The minister further directed officials to facilitate eligible workers in availing benefits under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) and other applicable welfare schemes.

The review also focused on the operational status of the Cinchona Directorate. After being informed that four factories under the Directorate are currently non-operational, the minister instructed the Director of the Directorate of Cinchona and Other Medicinal Plants, Mungpoo, to explore feasible measures for reviving operations at the closed units.

Reaffirming the government's commitment to the hill region, the minister said efforts would continue to revive and diversify the Cinchona sector through sustainable development, improved worker welfare and the creation of new economic opportunities.

Hindusthan Samachar / Satya Prakash Singh