West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee enjoyed tea at local stall
Ahead of Lok Sabha elections, West Bengal chief minister Mamata Banerjee enjoyed a cup of tea at a neighborhood stall in Jalpaiguri on Wednesday. She also prepared and served tea at the stall. (ANI photo)
Mamata Banerjee interacted with school children
She further engaged with school children and participated in tea leaf plucking alongside tea estate workers during her visit. (ANI photo)
Bengal CM joined tribal community for dance
During her interaction with the locals on Tuesday, she enthusiastically danced with members of the tribal community in Jalpaiguri, while also joining them in playing drums. (ANI photo)
Mamata Banerjee meets small tea growers amidst crisis
Since Monday, in compliance with a central directive, bought-leaf factories or tea processing units purchasing tea from small tea growers ceased operations unless the growers supplied leaves certified as chemical-free by laboratories. Mamata held discussions with the team at a private resort in Chalsa, Jalpaiguri, where she has been residing since Monday. (ANI photo)
Mamata Banerjee discussed 'livelihood crisis' impacting tea farmers
Following a meeting between chief minister Mamata Banerjee and a delegation of small tea growers in Jalpaiguri, the state administration has decided to address the new "livelihood crisis" impacting these growers by engaging with central officials. (ANI photo)
Meeting with chief minister amidst buyer shortage
The owners of Bought Leaf Factories (BLFs) stated that they ceased purchasing tea leaves due to the Tea Board's explicit declaration holding them accountable for any presence of banned chemicals in samples collected from their factories, regardless of the source of the tea leaves. Consequently, growers, unable to secure buyers, convened with the chief minister on Wednesday. (ANI photo)