Labour Union President thanks GJM for the Union’s growth

MUKESH SHARMA KALIMPONG, May 31: GOPAL RUCHAL Satisfied with the Gorkha Janmukti Morcha (GJM) Chief’s leadership, the President of Darjeeling, Terai- Dooars Labour Union, Gopal Ruchal today while speaking with the media said that under GJM the Union has been able to grow and the credit totally goes to Bimal Gurung. Till date the Union’s struggle and agitation has become successful. Acquainting about the increment of labour charge in the Cinchona plantation, Ruchal said that since 1988 until now the labourers were given Rs 21. 62 paise labour charge. Regarding this an order was passed a year ago for Labour fixation but the labourers were not benefitted until yet. But soon after the Trinamool Congress came into power they had notified that it will soon be started according to which the scheme has been initiated since October 1, 2011 and the order letter for the same has been received yesterday, he informed. Under this the labour charge will be increased to Rs 171 including DA, he added. Tagging this as a historic feat, the President said that the Cinchona work will improve the lives of approximately 5000 labourers. If the Government keeps a close check then the Cinchona could be used in manufacturing of different types of medicines plus much profit is there in this business. Hence, an establishment of a Cinchona Sale Division here is a must, asserted Ruchal. If the Government grants 50 crores for Cinchona then we are ready to give 50 crores back to the Government after the Cinchona plantation, he claimed. Lastly, he mentioned that various Unions were established in the past 25 years but none of them fought for the increment of the labour charge. “We thank all those who supported and helped us throughout”, he concluded.