Staff Reporter, Tinsukia, January 25 : As Assam marked 200 years of its storied tea industry, the celebration in Doomdooma went beyond history and symbolism—it turned into a heartfelt acknowledgment of the millions of hands that nurtured the emerald slopes and built a global identity for the State. From the lush precincts of Samdang Tea Estate on Sunday, Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the Rs 300-crore flagship welfare initiative Mukhyamantrir Eti Koli Duti Paat, calling it a salute to generations of tea garden workers whose labour shaped Assam’s destiny.
Under the scheme, more than six lakh tea workers—both permanent and casual—spread across 836 tea estates in 27 districts and 73 Assembly constituencies will receive a one-time financial assistance of Rs 5,000 each. The initiative stands as one of the largest direct benefit programmes dedicated exclusively to the tea community in the State.
The bicentenary programme also witnessed the inauguration of mobile crèches and mobile toilet services—facilities aimed at ensuring childcare, health, dignity and safer working conditions for tea garden labourers, particularly women.
Addressing a large gathering of workers and residents, Dr Sarma said the launch of Eti Koli Duti Paat fulfilled a key election commitment of his government. He assured that adequate budgetary provisions had been made to ensure smooth and transparent implementation, while underlining the deep-rooted contribution of tea tribes and indigenous communities to Assam’s economy, culture and social fabric.
“Every morning, millions across India and the world begin their day with a cup of Assam tea,” the Chief Minister said. “Yet, the hands that prune the bushes and pluck the leaves often remain unseen. Just as we take pride in Assam tea, we must take pride in our tea workers.”
Recalling Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s personal association with tea, Dr Sarma noted that the Prime Minister had sold tea at his father’s stall during his childhood in Gujarat, and has consistently championed the socio-economic upliftment of tea garden workers since assuming office.
Highlighting a range of welfare measures already in place, the Chief Minister said the State government has extended three per cent reservation under the OBC category in Grade III and IV government jobs for tea tribes and indigenous communities. He also announced that land rights would soon be granted to tea garden workers and indigenous families living in labour lines. Application forms would be distributed from early February, following which land pattas would be issued with safeguards to prevent transfer to outsiders.
Dr Sarma further noted that financial inclusion through Jan Dhan accounts has enabled tea workers to benefit from schemes such as Orunodoi, under which beneficiaries will receive an additional Rs 8,000 on February 20. Strengthening social infrastructure in tea garden areas, the government has already established 120 model schools, with another 100 in the pipeline, while reserving MBBS and paramedical seats for students from tea tribes and indigenous communities.
Among other initiatives cited were scholarships for over 1.5 lakh students, self-employment assistance under the Shaheed Dayal Das Panika scheme, approval for 500 community halls and skill centres, deployment of mobile medical units, wage compensation for pregnant tea workers, and the promotion of sports through tea garden football tournaments.
Calling Jhumoir dance a vibrant symbol of the tea community’s resilience and cultural identity, the Chief Minister said tea garden youth would once again be provided national platforms to showcase their heritage.
As part of the year-long bicentenary celebrations, similar programmes are being organised across tea-growing constituencies, where as many as 6,03,927 tea workers will be honoured through financial assistance. Urging beneficiaries to use the funds constructively, Dr Sarma placed special emphasis on investing in children’s education.
He also announced the inclusion of 2,000 additional beneficiaries from Doomdooma under the Orunodoi scheme and revealed that the government was considering making essential ration items completely free in the future.
The programme concluded with cultural performances by local youth, reflecting the living traditions of the tea gardens. The event was attended by Assam Minister for Labour Welfare, Tea Tribes and Adivasi Welfare and Doomdooma MLA Rupesh Gowala, Sadiya MLA Bolin Chetia, Digboi MLA Suren Phukan, Margherita MLA Bhaskar Sharma, Tinsukia Zila Parishad President Bhadreswar Moran, senior officials, district administrators, tea workers and representatives from across the region. Earlier, Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Man Ki Baat programme was collectively viewed by the Chief Minister, dignitaries and the large gathering.
