New Delhi, February 13, 2026 – Darjeeling Lok Sabha MP Raju Bista met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman today, congratulating her on presenting nine consecutive Union Budgets—a historic first—and raising key concerns related to the welfare of tea garden workers in West Bengal.
In a post on X accompanied by photographs from the meeting, Bista shared that he discussed various regional issues, with a special focus on the livelihoods of thousands of tea and cinchona garden workers in the Darjeeling hills, Terai, and Dooars. He submitted a formal request urging the Finance Minister’s immediate intervention to ensure the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Cha Shramik Protsahan Yojana (PMCSPY) in West Bengal.
Bista emphasized his deep commitment to the well-being of these hardworking communities, who form the backbone of India’s tea industry but continue to face vulnerabilities.
The meeting highlights ongoing efforts to address long-standing challenges in North Bengal’s tea sector, including welfare schemes and economic support for workers.
(Photos courtesy: X/Raju Bista)
