Idukki Kerala - four of the nine tea estates of the Ram Bahadur Thakur Group

http://www.thehindubusinessline.in/2007/06/01/stories/2007060104591200.htm

4 tea estates reopen after 5 years
C.J. Punnathara

To resume operations on June 25

Thekkady May 31 At a small and frugal function away from the media spotlight in Idukki district of Kerala, the Union Minister of State for Commerce, Mr Jairam Ramesh, reopened four of the nine tea estates of the Ram Bahadur Thakur Group. The estates had been lying closed for the last five years.

"After five years of suicides, starvation and strife, today is the day of deliverance for the 1,580 workers and their families of these estates," said Aralappan, a 54 year-old worker who has been with the company for the past 30 years.

"But for the concern and support extended by Mr Jairam Rasmesh and the State Labour Minister, Mr P.K. Gurudasan, we would not have been able to reopen these estates. So far, we had been considered untouchables and no one would extend an ear for our grievances nor provide avenues for redressal," said Mr Manoj Sharma, Director, RBT. As on date, the group has accumulated losses of Rs 18 crore.

Four of the nine RBT estates comprising 917 hectares are now slated to resume operations on June 25. The other five estates are to be opened shortly. Meanwhile, the MMJ Group in Kerala is slated to reopen its three tea estates on June 11. The RBT revival plan was chalked out after two days of hectic negotiations between the management, trade unions and political representatives. "We are very happy with the outcome of these negotiations under which token wage arrears, gratuity and so on, have been discussed and settled," said Mr M. Antony, Secretary, High Range Estate Labour Union, affiliated to the AITUC.

"All the eleven trade unions and the management are firm in their commitment to revive these plantations. We stand as one in requesting the State Government in permitting us to convert five per cent of the land for tourism, spices and other horticulture crops. That will help us tide over ups and downs of the tea industry," Mr Sharma said.

Opening the Bonacad tea estates of the Mahavir plantations in Thiruvananthapuram was the first tentative step forward. Reviving the RBT estates has been the next big step, Mr Jairam Ramesh said. RBT accounts for nine of the 17 closed estates in the State and close to half the total area.