Tamang's health deteriorates on 4th day of fast, talks preponed

Darjeeling: With the condition of GJM president Binay Tamang deteriorating fast, the state government has preponed the tripartite talks to decide on the bonus percentage for the Darjeeling tea industry. The talk, which was scheduled on October 17, will now be held on October 11. A series of meetings in Darjeeling and a tripartite meeting in Kolkata has failed to resolve the tea garden bonus impasse. While the trade unions have demanded 20 percent bonus, the management is not willing to climb up more than 15 percent.

Tamang had launched a fast unto death on October 6 demanding 20 percent bonus. "His condition is bad. I have prescribed immediate hospitalisation. In the morning, he complained of stomach ache and a burning sensation.

He has not urinated in 24 hours. His pressure is steadily falling," said the government medical officer on Wednesday, which is the fourth day of the fast.

The tripartite talks between the Labour minister, management and tea trade unions is scheduled to be held on Friday at the Conference Hall of the Labour Department in Kolkata.

Labour minister Malay Ghatak in a letter to Binay Tamang said despite the ongoing Puja holidays the tripartite talk is being brought forward owing to Tamang's deteriorating health. He requested Tamang to withdraw his fast.

On Wednesday, INTTUC leader Mohan Sharma visited the fast site at the Darjeeling motor stand.

He said: "I am here on the direction of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. On the direction of the Chief Minister the tripartite talks has been brought forward. We are hopeful that the issue will be resolved. The state has appealed to Binay Tamang to withdraw his fast."

"We are hopeful that the matter will be resolved in the tripartite talks. We will have an emergent meeting of the GJM central committee on Thursday. Binay Tamang has replied to the Chief Minister in writing (as he is unable to speak). He said he would withdraw the fast only after the favourable outcome of the Kolkata talks," said Anit Thapa, general secretary, GJM.