What New Measures Did Assam CM Announce for Tea Garden Community?

Guwahati, Aug 11 (NationPress) The Chief Minister of Assam, Himanta Biswa Sarma, unveiled a comprehensive suite of welfare and development strategies on Monday to enhance the living conditions of the tea garden community in the state. He reiterated the government's steadfast commitment to supporting this vital sector and its workforce.

In a post shared on the social media platform X titled “Brewing Progress”, CM Sarma presented a diverse plan that encompasses increased wages, educational initiatives, skill enhancement, job quotas, and incentives for the industry.

“We are empowering communities and preserving Assam’s unique identity,” he stated.

A significant aspect of this initiative includes raising the daily wage of tea workers to Rs 250, which will take effect from October 1, addressing a long-time demand from labor unions.

The state will also introduce the ‘Eti Koli, Duti Paat’ scheme, which will provide one-time financial support to seven lakh tea workers.

On the educational front, plans are underway to establish over 200 new Tea Garden Schools and Tea Garden Model Schools, in addition to the construction of 500 Jagannath community halls-cum-skill centers aimed at offering vocational training and serving as meeting venues.

Moreover, the government has allocated a three percent reservation in state government positions for members of the tea community and exempted them from domicile prerequisites under Mission Basundhara, facilitating access to land and housing benefits.

To enhance the industry, the Assam Tea Industries Special Incentives Scheme will deliver focused assistance to producers, aiming to boost their competitiveness and sustainability.

Cultural preservation is also a priority, with large-scale events such as ‘Jhumoir Binandini’ planned to celebrate traditional art and heritage.

The Chief Minister emphasized that these initiatives are part of a broader and ongoing commitment to elevate the living standards of Assam's tea workers, who play a crucial role in the state’s social and economic landscape.

“And many more (initiatives) to come,” CM Sarma hinted, suggesting further announcements in the upcoming months.

The tea industry, which employs millions in Assam, has historically struggled with inadequate wages, poor infrastructure, and limited educational opportunities.

This new package, according to government officials, seeks to transform that narrative — merging welfare with growth to ensure progress is genuinely brewed in every cup of Assam tea.