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Manjolai issue: Tamil Nadu govt announces relief package for farm labourers

Manjolai issue: Tamil Nadu govt announces relief package for farm labourers

The Tamil Nadu government on Sunday, July 28, 2024, announced a relief package for the workers at the Manjolai Tea Estate as the Bombay Burmah Trading Corporation (BBTC), which manages the Manjolai Tea Estate in Tirunelveli district, has closed down its operations by announcing a voluntary retirement programme for its workers.

The package is aimed at rehabilitating tea plantation workers by providing housing and training and skills for future employment opportunities. Minister Thangam Thennarasu announced the features of the relief package on Sunday.

According to a report submitted by the BBTC to the Labour Welfare Department of the Tamil Nadu government, apart from 23 employees who are retiring in September, a total of 536 employees have signed the agreement opting for voluntary retirement. They have also received 25% of the ex-gratia for opting for voluntary retirement, it informed the TN government.

“Steps would be taken through the Labour Welfare Department to provide the employees with the remaining 75% of the ex-gratia granted to them by the company, their monthly pension as per the rules and all statutory entitlements,” an official release said.

Around 418 workers from 389 families submitted requests to a special committee set up by the Tamil Nadu government. While 266 expressed interest to work in Tirunelveli district, 76 wanted to move to Tenkasi district, 49 to Thoothukudi district and 18 to other districts. Nine of them wanted to move to other states, the release said.

If we consider this as a special case, the state government would provide free house patta in rural areas by relaxing the norms and constructing houses for them under the Kalaignar Kanavu Illam scheme for homeless workers.

The state government also announced the allotment of housing units under Tamil Nadu Urban Habitat Development Board located at Pappankulam in Ambasamudram taluk of Tirunelveli district. It would also allot houses for them in the under-construction TNUHDB units at Reddiarpatti in Tirunelveli city.

Loans would be provided under the Annal Ambedkar Business Champions Scheme to those below 55 years of age to start a business. The loan would include a 35% subsidy and 6% interest subsidy.

Other employees would get loans up to ₹75 lakh under the New Entrepreneur-Cum-Enterprise Development Scheme, which includes a 25% capital subsidy and a 3% interest subsidy.

Training would be imparted to workers and their family members by the Tamil Nadu Skill Development Corporation and under the Tamil Nadu State Rural Livelihood Mission. Arrangements would be made to provide them with employment in the private sector for those who successfully complete the training.

Interest-free loans would be provided through Aavin and the Ministry of Cooperation for procurement of cattle for setting up small dairy farms. Small loans up to ₹1.5 lakh would be provided through women self-help groups.

Steps would be taken to ensure that the education of students in schools is not affected. They would be admitted to schools of their choice and they would be given priority admission in government hostels, it said. Special camps would be organised for employees to obtain ration cards, Aadhaar, voter photo identity cards and others.

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