Government sources said that the meeting, presided by labour minister Shanti Ghatak and other government officials had tried to pacify the unions on certain issues which the latter did not accept. Twenty five unions belonging to the West Bengal Co-ordination Committee of Tea Plnatation Workers were present at the meeting.

This means that an indefinite strike would be called by the plantation workers from mid-July. It is learnt that industry has agreed to additional employment on an adhoc basis. Improved facilities for medical help and water supply was also agreed upon by the industry.

The plantation workers' demand for immediate setting up of a 200-bed hospital was not agreed upon by the industry, sources said.

The unions' proposal ofemploying 1.1 man per acre in tune with the concept of a correct land labour ratio, could not be agreed upon.

Unions also demanded that temporary workers be regularised. Other issues include promotion of subordinated staff after completing 10 years of service, upgradation of daily-rated workers to subordinate staff, construction of group medical hospitals and so on. Not much headway was made, government sources said.

The industry has to face the crisis now as plantation workers throughout the Dooars, Darjeeling and Terai regions of West Bengal have refused to call off the strike. Already subjected to much pressure with almost a 40 million kg shortfall in production till May and low export potential, the situation has turned grave, felt industry observers.

Industry also had to bear increased cost pressures with the recent imposition of Rs 2 per kg levy and other inflationary pressures.

Industry sources say although work at the plantations across Dooars, Terai and Darjeeling have not been affectedcurrently, there have been instances of gate demonstrations at few of the plantations.

Almost 350-odd gardens across Dooars, Terai and Darjeeling stand to get affected if a strike is called indefinitely.