Mancholai Tea Estate Issue:
Mancholai is not only a famous tourist spot located near Manimuthar in Nellai district but the entire region is full of tea plantations where more than 2000 workers are working with their families.
The tea estate was taken on a 99-year lease by the Bombay Varuma Trading Corporation in 1929. The lease was due to expire in 2028, and the private company decided to vacate the estate before the lease expired.
For this, a case was filed in the High Court to compel the workers who have been living there for many generations to take voluntary retirement. While this incident has created a sensation all over Tamil Nadu, political parties are strongly protesting this.
Hearing in High Court Madurai Branch:
Regarding the Mancholai tea plantation issue, Amuda, John Kennedy, Rosemary from Mancholai, New Tamilnadu Party leader Krishnasamy, Vaigai Rajan, Papanasam and Chandra had filed petitions in the Madurai session of the High Court.
During the last hearing, the Tamil Nadu government said, “It is planned to take steps to provide skill development training to the people of Mancholai.
It was reported that the management of Tantea is unable to take over the mancholai tea plantation.
In this case, the case came up for hearing today before the bench of Justices Subramanian and Victoria Gowri.
At that time, the petitioners were informed that “lawyers are not allowed to go to see the people of Mancholai area”.
It was also reported that they would be forced to sign retirement documents.
Adjournment to 14th August:
The lawyer appearing on behalf of PPTC said, “534 people have accepted early retirement. It is at the discretion of the concerned workers. While 25% of the amount has already been paid, the remaining amount has been handed over to the Assistant Director of Labor Welfare Department, Nagercoil.”
The judges then adjourned the case to August 14 and adjourned the case stating that they could present a detailed argument on that day.
