PF dept files complaint against Patkapara Tea Garden over Rs 33L dues

Alipurduar: The Provident Fund (PF) Department has filed a police complaint against Patkapara Tea Estate in Alipurduar district for failing to deposit workers’ PF contributions amounting to Rs 33 lakh, despite deducting the money from their wages. The written complaint was lodged at Alipurduar police station on Tuesday.

Jalpaiguri Regional PF Commissioner Pawan Bansal said, “Across Jalpaiguri, Cooch Behar, and Alipurduar districts, the total outstanding PF dues run into several crores of rupees, of which nearly 70 per cent is owed by various tea gardens. Due to the unpaid dues, we lodged a written complaint against Patkapara Tea Garden today. Regular monitoring and enforcement drives are underway to ensure timely PF deposits, and we also conduct camps to address workers’ grievances.”

Sources said tea gardens in Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar districts owe more than Rs 10 crore in PF dues, pending for over five years.

In the last five years, complaints have been lodged against 36 tea gardens for failing to deposit workers’ contributions.

However, officials allege that most garden authorities have shown little urgency in clearing the arrears.

Patkapara Tea Garden, which employs around 2,200 workers, accumulated PF dues between June and October 2024.

After repeated notices went unanswered, the PF Department proceeded with the police complaint. Attempts to contact the tea garden management by phone on Tuesday were unsuccessful.