**Summary:**
Rajya Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2316, answered on August 8, 2025, by the Minister of State for Heavy Industries, addresses the availability of health centers in tea gardens of the Andrew Yule Group. The question inquired whether proper health centers with basic medical facilities were lacking in the Karbala, New Dooars, Banarhat, and Choonabhutti tea gardens. The Minister's response indicated that proper health centers, managed by Andrew Yule Company Limited (AYCL), are indeed present in these tea gardens. These centers are equipped to provide essential healthcare services to plantation workers and their families. Furthermore, the health centers offer ambulance services for referrals to subdivisional or district hospitals and are integrated with the State Governments 'SuSwasthya Kendra' initiative, specifically for maternity care, antenatal and postnatal services, and vaccination drives.
Key Entities Referenced
MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES: A ministry within the Government of India responsible for heavy industries.
SHRI RITABRATA BANERJEE: Member of Rajya Sabha who raised the question about health centers in tea gardens.
SHRI BHUPATHIRAJU SRINIVASA VARMA: The Minister of State for Heavy Industries who provided the answer to the question.
Andrew Yule Group: A company that owns tea gardens, specifically mentioned in relation to the lack of health centers.
Karbala, West Bengal: One of the tea gardens owned by Andrew Yule Group where the availability of health centers was questioned. The text mentions 'Karbala tea gardens'
New Dooars, West Bengal: One of the tea gardens owned by Andrew Yule Group where the availability of health centers was questioned. The text mentions 'New Dooars tea gardens'
Banarhat, West Bengal: One of the tea gardens owned by Andrew Yule Group where the availability of health centers was questioned. The text mentions 'Banarhat tea gardens'
Choonabhutti, West Bengal: One of the tea gardens owned by Andrew Yule Group where the availability of health centers was questioned. The text mentions 'Choonabhutti tea gardens'
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES
RAJYA SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2316
ANSWERED ON 08.08.2025
LACK OF PROPER HEALTH CENTRES IN TEA GARDENS OF ANDREW YULE
GROUP
2316. SHRI RITABRATA BANERJEE:
Will the Minister of HEAVY INDUSTRIES be pleased to state:
(a) whether it is a fact that there are no proper health centres with even basic medical facilities
in Karbala, New Dooars, Banarhat and Choonabhutti tea gardens of Andrew Yule group; and
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF STATE FOR HEAVY INDUSTRIES
(SHRI BHUPATHIRAJU SRINIVASA VARMA)
(a) & (b): There are proper health centres, managed by Andrew Yule Company
Limited (AYCL) in Karbala, New Dooars, Banarhat and Choonabhutti tea gardens
equipped to provide essential healthcare services to plantation workers and their
families. Further, the health centres are equipped with ambulance facility to refer
patients to sub-divisional or district hospitals and also integrated with the State
Government’s 'Su-Swasthya Kendra' initiative, particularly for maternity care, antenatal
/postnatal services and vaccination drives.
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