Darjeeling MP Raju Bista has written to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and several of his cabinet colleagues, seeking financial relief for tea and tourism sectors which are hit hard by the spread of the novel coronavirus and the resultant lockdown.

He sent the letters to Union ministers of finance, commerce and tourism. “Considering the lockdown and economic hardships, I have written to them, pleading for financial assistance for tea garden workers for the next three months and some other relief for both the sectors,” said Bista.

The MP wants moratorium on EMI payments by the tea industry for a year. “For the tourism industry, I have sought a moratorium on all EMIs and other loan and mortgage repayments accrued to those associated with the sector for three months and extension of payment of insurance, commercial and road taxes,” the MP added.

The Himalayan Hospitality and Tourism Development Network had written to Bista seeking his intervention. Stakeholders of the tea and tourism sectors hoped some announcements by the Reserve Bank of India on Friday would help them to a certain extent.

“As the RBI said payment of EMIs could be delayed by three months, transporters, hoteliers and others who have taken loans should feel relieved,” said Samrat Sanyal, the general secretary of the Network.