Darjeeling tea gardens brace against losses as pressure to pay bonus mounts

Industry said to have incurred a loss of Rs 220 cr due to a shutdown over Gorkhaland state

The problems of the 87-odd gardens in Darjeeling, closed for over 70 days now, is set to worsen after they reopen. On the one hand, every garden's cash flow is hit by the crop loss of the second flush, and on the other, as the gardens resume operations, labourers are going to press for an annual bonus.

Industry sources are sceptical that since the plantation workers have not been able to earn for over 70 days now, they are going to press for a higher bonus to compensate for their interim loss.

As per legal provisions, around 100,000 permanent workers are paid daily