Siliguri, Sept. 28 -- The Terai Indian Planters' Association (TIPA) has urged the West Bengal government to adopt a case-by-case approach on payment of the 20 per cent Puja bonus, warning that 15 to 20 tea gardens in North Bengal may face severe cash-flow problems and even closure if the payment is enforced without considering their financial condition.
In a letter to the Additional Labour Commissioner, North Bengal Zone, TIPA chairman Mahendra Prasad Bansal said several gardens were currently in no position to pay the 20 per cent bonus.
He sought negotiations with such estates, saying the industry was already facing stagnant prices, lower exports, rising costs and other external pressures.
The association said the government's direction...