<h1>Tea Board Pushes Direct Bank Transfers for Timely Wage Payments to Tea Garden Workers Post-Demonetization</h1> Following demonetization in India, the Tea Board engaged with state governments, district administrations, and the Reserve Bank of India to ensure timely wage payments to tea garden workers in West Bengal and other tea-growing states. The Board urged district administrations to facilitate payments through bank accounts and encouraged tea garden managements and labor unions to open individual bank accounts for workers under government schemes. Meetings with banking officials sought directives for banks to prioritize wage payments and improve currency flow in affected districts. The Board emphasized direct electronic transfers to workers' accounts to prevent delays and ensure smooth wage disbursement amid cash shortages.