Around 12,000 workers of 19 closed tea estates in Alipurduar, Jalpaiguri and Darjeeling will receive an ex gratia from the state government ahead of the Durga Puja.

Last week, leaders of the Trinamool Cha Bagan Sramik Union (TCBSU), had requested chief minister Mamata Banerjee to consider providing some financial assistance to the jobless workers.

“Unlike workers of other tea estates, these people will not get any bonus ahead of the festivities because their gardens are closed. That is why, we had made the request,” said Nakul Sonar, chairman of the tea trade union.

Sources in the state labour department said each of these workers would receive an ex gratia of ₹1,500.

“The fund has already reached the government treasuries of these districts. The assistance will be transferred to the bank accounts of the workers of closed tea estates ahead of Durga Puja,” said Amit Das, the assistant labour commissioner posted in Birpara of Alipurduar.

In Alipurduar, nine tea estates are closed. Out of them, two have closed down recently and their workers have not been included in this benefit. Also, at least 10 tea estates are closed in Darjeeling and two gardens are closed in the Jalpaiguri district.

As of now, workers of these gardens receive monthly assistance of ₹1,500 under the FAWLOI (Financial Assistance to Workers of Locked Out Industries) scheme. The assistance is provided until a garden reopens.