Neeraj Zimba’s voice of conscience and a bold stand against the state’s fiscal mismanagement

In a political landscape often dominated by empty promises and grandiose claims, Darjeeling MLA Neeraj Zimba’s speech at the West Bengal Assembly on February 19, 2025, emerged as a powerful indictment of governance failures. With razor-sharp critique and unwavering conviction, Zimba not only dissected the state budget but also exposed its glaring inadequacies. His words were not mere rhetoric; it was a forceful condemnation of the government’s fiscal irresponsibility and its apathy toward the working class, especially in the tea industry.

Zimba criticized the government’s so-called budget, describing it as a “bailout for bad governance.” His critique struck at the heart of the issue—he argued that the budget was detached from reality, presenting promises and figures that could easily be mistaken for a work of fiction rather than a serious financial document. His words were a sharp reminder that budgets are supposed to be blueprints for progress, not a “fairy tale of fiscal fantasy.”

His detailed breakdown of budgetary allocations revealed a stark disparity. The North Bengal Development Department was given a meagre ₹866 crore, and the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA) received ₹935 crore, but an overwhelming ₹883 crore of that amount was earmarked for administrative expenses like salaries, leaving a mere ₹180 crore for actual developmental work. In a region that generates over ₹200 crore annually from stamp sales alone, the allocation was nothing short of an insult.

The politician reminded the government that Bengal’s people were not in need of empty promises but of tangible progress—jobs, investments, and a clear roadmap out of economic despair. He highlighted the failure of the state’s leadership, declaring that if the government were as grand as it claimed, Bengal would be leading the nation, not sinking under the weight of debt.

Zimba also spoke of a proud moment when a small tea grower achieved a world record by selling tea at an astonishing price of ₹ 4,33,000 per kilo, showcasing the resilience and determination of the region’s small-scale producers. However, he juxtaposed this achievement with the grim reality that 13 out of 87 registered tea gardens had been closed for over a decade, and many more were on the brink of collapse.

Zimba painted a heart-wrenching picture as he spoke of the tea workers, whose lives were marked by hardship. He also highlighted the plight of hundreds of tea garden workers from Panighatta, who had been on a hunger strike for the past 88 days, deprived of wages, benefits, and basic entitlements. Despite this, the budget offered no relief for these workers who had dedicated their lives to the tea industry.

MLA Zimba took a legal and constitutional turn when he questioned the government’s stance on the allocation of ₹ 14,876 crores to the Home and Hill Affairs Department. He raised a crucial point about the exclusion of the GTA from financial planning, asking whether the government had tacitly acknowledged its unconstitutionality. His criticism was pointed and precise—why, he asked, was there no support for the tea industry or its workers in the budget?

Zimba also took aim at the Chief Minister’s controversial decision to divert 30% of tea garden land for non-tea purposes, a move benefiting big business and crony capitalists while neglecting the tea workers who had built the industry. The inequality was stark: while corporate houses received land freely, tea workers were restricted even in death, unable to bury their loved ones without the garden authorities’ permission. Zimba’s powerful question—”Is this justice?”—reverberated throughout the assembly.

In his call for justice, Zimba demanded that the historical claims of tea workers over the land be recognized. He pointed out the flawed land distribution policies and the widespread resistance to the controversial survey (Notification no. 4549(2)-LP/1A-24/23) process affecting the workers. He pointed out that land is a transferred subject, yet the government’s unilateral decisions on the matter showed a blatant disregard for democratic principles. The lack of consultation with elected representatives, tea unions, and industry experts only further demonstrated the autocratic approach of the administration.

Zimba concluded by emphasizing the budget’s failure to address the real needs of Bengal. While the government continued its reckless borrowing, with no clear plan for repayment, the allocation for North Bengal and the Hills remained grossly inadequate. His criticism was not unfounded. With a fiscal deficit soaring to ₹73,177 crore and the overall state debt ballooning to ₹7,71,670 crore, Zimba questioned the government’s reckless borrowing spree with no concrete repayment strategy. He denounced the budget as “vote-centric,” focused on appeasing a few rather than addressing the true needs of the people, especially those in the hills and tea estates.

Zimba’s speech was not just a political attack; it was a clarion call for justice, a defense of the marginalized, and a reminder that fiscal policies must reflect the needs of the people. His words, grounded in the struggles of the everyday worker, brought attention to the widening chasm between the promises of the state and the harsh realities on the ground.

As he concluded, his words carried the weight of history:

“The budget is not about numbers; it is about priorities. If we continue down this path of neglect, history will not forgive us.”

Neeraj Zimba’s bold stand in the assembly was a powerful statement that resonated deeply with those who feel abandoned by the system. His criticism of the state budget wasn’t just an attack on numbers, but a rallying cry for the rights of workers, the recognition of their dignity, and a demand for a more accountable and just governance. If Bengal is to emerge from its economic turmoil, it is clear that leaders like Zimba will continue to be the voice of reason, standing firm against hollow promises and advocating for a brighter, more equitable future.