Singtom Tea Estate reopens

Darjeeling: Singtom and Steinthal Tea Estate reopened on Thursday. The garden was facing a lockout since February 24 after the management had suspended operations of the garden, complaining of arm twisting and "wrong practices" by the workers.

A meeting between the operating trade unions and management of the garden,

in the presence of the Additional Labour Commissioner, North Bengal Zone in Siliguri on Wednesday, resolved that the garden would resume normal functioning from March 19.

The meeting further resolved that due wages of one fortnight would be paid on March 19 and the other due wage by March 24. Salary to staff and sub-staff will also be paid on March 20.

Another round of tripartite meeting will be held on or before June 1 to discuss other issues. The Singtom Tea Estate is run by the Camellia Tea Group Private Ltd.