National News
Ahead of Assam Polls, Govt Disburses ₹5,000 Each to 6 Lakh Tea Garden Workers Under ‘Eti Koli Duti Paat’ Scheme
In a major outreach to the state’s Tea Tribe community ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday disbursed a one-time financial assistance of Rs. 5,000 each to more than six lakh tea garden workers under the ‘Eti Koli Duti Paat’ scheme.
In a major outreach to the state’s Tea Tribe community ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections, Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday disbursed a one-time financial assistance of Rs. 5,000 each to more than six lakh tea garden workers under the ‘Eti Koli Duti Paat’ scheme.
The financial aid, amounting to over Rs. 300 crore, was distributed among workers across 836 tea gardens spanning 27 districts and 73 assembly constituencies, according to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO).
Launching the scheme in Doomdoma, a key tea-producing hub in Tinsukia district, Sarma said the assistance was a gesture of gratitude towards the workers whose efforts have shaped Assam’s tea industry.
“Whatever Assam does, it does at scale. Today, over six lakh tea garden workers received Rs. 5,000 each as a mark of gratitude for their hard work, which has made tea synonymous with Assam,” Sarma posted on X.
He noted that the initiative also coincides with the completion of 200 years of Assam Tea.
“This community has toiled for over two centuries to give Assam Tea its distinct identity. The people of the state acknowledge their unparalleled contribution, and our government will continue working for their welfare,” he added.
Alongside the financial aid, the chief minister also inaugurated mobile creches and mobile toilet services aimed at improving childcare, hygiene and workplace safety for workers.
The state government has announced several welfare measures for the Tea Tribe community, including:
- Ownership rights for land in labour lines of tea estates
- 3% reservation in Grade 3 and Grade 4 state government jobs
- Reservation of 30 MBBS seats in medical colleges
- Model schools and hostels in tea garden areas
- Strengthened healthcare facilities, particularly for maternal care
The moves are being seen as part of the government’s broader efforts to reach out to the sizeable Tea Tribe population ahead of the Assembly elections likely in March-April.
