The Trinamul-led Bengal government in its budget on Thursday underscored its decision to give the tea garden residents land rights and provide them houses or cash aid to build houses, and simultaneously push tourism to bolster the economy of north Bengal.

Giving land rights and cash aid for homes to the tea population is believed to be a major move by the government to change the political dynamics in north Bengal where the tea population decides the results of three Lok Sabha seats — Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Alipurduar. The BJP had won all three in 2019.

Minister of state for finance Chandrima Bhattacharya, who tabled the state budget for the 2024-25 fiscal in the Assembly, said that the state recovered around 2,500 acres of unused land from the tea gardens and gave homestead “pattas” (land rights)
up to five decimals (2,177.8 square feet) to around 23,000 tea workers.

“Under Cha Sundari (free housing scheme), 4,022 dwelling units in 17 sites of seven tea gardens in Alipurduar and Jalpaiguri districts have been approved and construction of 1,171 single-storied dwelling units in Dheklapara, Mujnai, Toorsa and Manabari has been completed. Work is in progress for construction of 2,851 units in 11 sites,” she said.

The state has said rights would be provided to workers on the land on which they stay now. Also, the state will pay Rs 1.2 lakh to each to build a house.

The first installment of Rs 60,000 for around 7,300 workers who have been given land rights has already reached the Alipurduar district administration.

The state budget, however, saw a marginal hike in allocations to the north Bengal development department.

In the 2023-24 fiscal, the allocation was Rs 823.29 crore. In the 2024-25 fiscal, it is Rs 861 crore.

The allocation for the tourism department also saw a marginal hike. In 2023-24, Rs 491.66 crore was allotted for the department, which has now increased to Rs 519.92 crore for the upcoming fiscal, said the budget document.

Bhattacharya said the state’s homestay policy led to an unprecedented boom. Till December 31, 2023, 2,340 homestay accommodations have been registered, which generated jobs for around 18,720 persons (11,700 direct and 7,020 indirect), she said.

“As of now, 5,132 homestays are operating in Bengal under the state tourism department, the tribal development department and the forest department. Bengal is one of the leading states for homestays in India,” the minister said in her budget speech.

The state’s Tea Tourism and Allied Business Policy, 2019, which was planned to promote eco-friendly tourism in unused and fallow tea garden lands has also worked, she said.

“So far, the state has approved five projects, which will come up in four tea estates. In all Rs 316.45 crore will be invested for the projects,” said Bhattacharya.

The tourism department, Bhattacharya said, has curated 100 religious circuits in Bengal, with more than 400 religious touchpoints. The department’s booklet “Mahapunnyo Bhoomi Mahatirtho Bhoomi” showcases them.