The West Bengal government has introduced transformative initiatives aimed at improving the lives of tea garden workers. The Cha Sundari Scheme, launched in September 2020, and its subsequent expansion, the Cha Sundari Extension Scheme, focus on providing housing and financial assistance to underprivileged tea garden workers. Below is a detailed guide on these schemes, their benefits, and the application process.
Overview of the Cha Sundari Scheme
The Cha Sundari Scheme was developed to address the housing needs of homeless and impoverished tea garden workers in West Bengal. Through this program, the government not only provided free housing units but also allocated land rights to workers in the sector.
Key Highlights of the Scheme
- Land Distribution: Approximately 2,500 acres of land, including residential plots of up to 5 decimals, were distributed.
- Beneficiaries: Over 23,000 tea garden workers received land plots for building homes.
- Challenges: Due to financial constraints, many workers have been unable to construct houses on the allocated plots.
Introduction to the Cha Sundari Extension Scheme
To address the challenges faced by tea garden workers in constructing homes, the West Bengal government announced the Cha Sundari Extension Scheme during the 2024-2025 budget session. This enhanced version aims to provide financial assistance to workers for home construction.
Scheme Overview
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Nodal Agency | West Bengal Housing Department |
| Scheme Name | Cha Sundari Extension Scheme |
| Number of Beneficiaries | 23,000 tea garden workers |
| Financial Aid Amount | ₹1,20,000 (one-time assistance) |
| Official Website | wbhousing.gov.in |
Benefits of the Cha Sundari Extension Scheme
The scheme provides the following key benefits to tea garden workers:
- Financial Support: Beneficiaries receive ₹1,20,000 to facilitate housing construction.
- Direct Bank Transfers: The financial aid is deposited directly into the bank accounts of selected workers, ensuring transparency and efficiency.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for financial assistance under the Cha Sundari Extension Scheme, applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Be a permanent resident of West Bengal.
- Be employed as a permanent worker in a tea garden.
- Possess land or Patta rights granted by the government.
Documents Required
Applicants must submit the following documents along with their application:
- Proof of Residency in West Bengal.
- Tea Garden Worker Registration ID.
- Aadhar Card.
- Contact Number.
- Land Ownership or Award Documents.
- Bank Account Details.
Application Process for Cha Sundari Extension Scheme
Tea garden workers eligible for the scheme can follow these steps to apply:
Step-by-Step Process
- Obtain the Application Form:
- Collect the free application form from the District Office of the Housing Department.
- Fill Out the Form:
- Complete the application form with accurate details and attach all required documents.
- Submit the Application:
- Submit the filled-out form along with the necessary documents to the same district office from where it was obtained.
- Verification:
- Housing Department officials will review the applications and shortlist eligible beneficiaries.
- Notification:
- Selected beneficiaries will be informed via SMS on their registered mobile numbers.
- Financial Aid Disbursement:
- The approved financial assistance of ₹1,20,000 will be transferred directly to the beneficiary’s bank account.
FAQs
Who can apply for the Cha Sundari Extension Scheme?
Permanent tea garden workers in West Bengal with government-granted land or Patta rights are eligible to apply.
How much financial aid is provided under the scheme?
Beneficiaries receive a one-time grant of ₹1,20,000 for housing construction.
What documents are required to apply?
Key documents include proof of residency, tea garden worker registration ID, Aadhar card, land ownership documents, and bank account details.
