Agartala, 28th October 2026 : The Tripura Tea Workers’ Union and the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) staged a protest in front of Shram Bhavan on Wednesday, opposing the proposed transfer of around 1,200 acres of land belonging to cooperative tea gardens and gardens under the Tripura Tea Development Corporation to private and other industrial interests.
The protesting organisations expressed concern over the possible impact of the move on tea garden workers, alleging that employees in gardens run by cooperatives and the state-owned corporation were already facing severe economic hardship and uncertainty.
Addressing the gathering, a union secretary said the difficult conditions prevailing in the tea gardens had added to workers’ concerns, and handing over the gardens or their land to private interests could further jeopardise their livelihoods. The union demanded that the gardens should not be privatised and that the interests of workers must remain the government’s priority.
Referring to the situation at Durgabari Tea Garden, the union representative alleged that workers had earlier received festival bonuses and ration supplies on time during Durga Puja, but timely delivery of these benefits had become uncertain. He cited the issue as an example of the difficulties faced by tea garden workers.
The protesters called upon the government to take responsibility for the proper management and operation of the tea gardens rather than transferring them to private owners. They maintained that government intervention was necessary to protect workers’ employment, wages and other entitlements.
The demonstration highlighted the trade unions’ opposition to the proposed land transfer and their demand for a policy that safeguards the livelihoods of tea garden workers while ensuring the continued operation of the gardens in their interests.
