Palorbond Tea Estate Declares Lockout Before Durga Puja, 2,000 Workers Affected; Kaushik Rai Assures Help

Just days ahead of Durga Puja, Palorbond Tea Estate and its five division gardens were suddenly locked out on Monday night (September 22), leaving nearly 2,000 workers in uncertainty. The management fled without clearing rations, allowances, bonuses, or pending wages.

According to reports, the main manager had already gone on leave, while assistant managers resigned earlier in the day. That night, garden director C. P. Agarwal officially declared the lockout via email to the Assistant Labour Commissioner, Barak Cha Shramik Union, and the Deputy Commissioner.

Lakhipur MLA and state minister Kaushik Roy rushed to the spot on Tuesday (September 23) and assured workers of resolving the crisis, promising Rs. 5 lakh in financial aid for the gardens during Puja. The District Commissioner and district labour officials were also present.

Barak Cha Shramik Union general secretary Rajdeep Goala, who visited the garden with other leaders, alleged that the owners had defaulted on workers’ pensions, dues, and rations for years. He further claimed that although the management received Rs. 7.5 crore in compensation for Bharatmala land acquisition, not a single rupee was given to the workers.

“The garden must be handed over to a capable management to secure workers’ future,” said Goala, adding that similar cases in Dilkhush and Didarkhush tea estates were resolved after ownership transfer.

Workers have accused owner Sanjiv Tulsian of repeated deception, including unpaid dues to suppliers and bounced cheques, and demanded his arrest.