Mullick gave his assurance after a visit to the family of a tea worker Jaikaran Suri (52) of Ghetlapara tea estate who died during the day.
While tea workers unions claimed that Suri had died of starvation, hospital authorities said he was suffering from ill health for a long time and his treatment was delayed as medical facilities for the tea workers had stopped after the gardens closed.
He died at a Birpara hospital during the day.
Ghetlapara tea estate has been closed for 11 years and Mullick distributed 5 kg of free rice each to its 714 workers' families.
The minister also distributed free rice among the 1770 workers families of Kumlai tea garden.
Meanwhile, Madhu tea garden was closed today leaving families of its 952 workers in a lurch before the pujas.
The notice was put up by the garden authorities saying it was being closed as it had turned sick.
None of the garden officials could be contacted and tea workers unions claimed that they had fled.
