According to Paschim Banga Cha Mazdoor Samity (PBCMS), Dhani Oraon, 58, who worked at Madhu Tea Garden, died last Friday. A day later PBCMS constituted a five-member fact-finding team, comprising two lawyers, two members of the association and a Right to Food and Work Campaign activist.

“After three days of investigation, the team presented their findings, revealing egregious violations of labor laws and human rights at Madhu Tea Garden where Oraon worked. Oraon and his wife had Antodaya Anna Yojana Card (AAY 0205488469), which entitles them to 35 kg of free foodgrain per month. In its enthusiasm to curb corruption, the Central government has made Aadhar linkage mandatory. The family was unable to do this, and therefore unable to withdraw rations for the past two to three years. The records of the Fair Price shop and that of the Food & Supply Department showed cancelled and/or deactivated cards for the past two years and showed no history of the transaction, but mysteriously, the Joint BDO informed that his records showed lifting of rations till September 2023,” Birbal Oraon, secretary, PBCMS, said.

“Despite numerous Duare Sarkar camps, the couple did not receive benefits from the state Government schemes like Tapashili Bandhu or Lakshmi Bhandar,” he said.

Alleging that there are “practically no medical facilities in the tea estate”, the PMCMS said, “Even on the day of Oraon’s death, the family could not afford medical care as the nearest hospital Lothabari PHC is 15 km away and would have cost Rs 300-400 to reach there. He died at home without receiving any treatment.”

Meanwhile, the district administration and block administration refused to comment on the matter. “We are inspecting the matter. After inspection, we will be able to give a statement,” a senior district administration official said.

(Taniya Acherjee is an intern at the Kolkata office of The Indian Express)