GUWAHATI: Assam state finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said that the minimum wage of tea garden workers of the state will be increased within the next 10 days.
"In the next 10 days, there will be notification which will increase the wages of the tea workers. You will definitely get good news whenever the next cabinet meeting is held," the minister added.
Further speaking at an event chaired by Union Finance Minister, Nirmala Sitharaman, Sarma said that 119 schools will be started in the tea garden areas from May 1, 2021.
"We are going to take several decisions for the people of tea garden areas. The students will get special benefits to take admission in the colleges. We have also started to provide breakfast in the schools," said Sarma.
Further, the minister said, "Tea-Gardens are an integral part of Assam's identity. Chah Bagicha Dhan Puraskar Mela is an ambitious move by Assam Finance Department to ensure financial inclusion of tea tribe workers, in keeping with the vision of PM Modi."
On January 7, 2021, the Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS) has called for a workers rally which they named as 'Sramik Garjan programme' (Roar of the workers) in Assam's Dibrugarh, Biswanath Chaiariali, Golaghat, and Dispur, Kamrup (M) from January 18 and to conclude on February 8.
Speaking to the media, ACMS General Secretary Rupesh Gowala said," The tea garden workers are deprived of their deserving wages according to their hard works. And that is why we have raised our voice against it. We would not compromise in any condition. Until the wages of the tea garden workers increased we will keep protesting."
Earlier today, Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 6, initiated the ceremonial distribution ceremony of Chah Bagicha Dhan Puraskar Mela in Guwahati.
Further, on February 7, Prime Minister Narendra Modi is said to visit Dhekiajuli in Assam.
PM Modi is said to launch the Assam Mala Project for the up-gradation of state highways and will also lay the foundation of the medical colleges of Biswanath and Charaideo from the same venue.
Taking stock of the situation at Dhekiajuli, Assam chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal said that a helipad adjacent to the meeting venue has been created to facilitate PM Modi's visit.