HT Correspondent
MARGHERITA, Nov 29: Celebrations broke out at Margherita Tea Estate on Friday afternoon, hours after tea garden workers watched the live telecast of the Assam Legislative Assembly, where chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and Labour Welfare, Tea Tribes and Adivasi Welfare Minister Rupesh Gowala announced the decision to grant land pattas to tea estate workers across Assam.
Soon after the announcement, workers of the estate gathered at the Top Side Field, dancing, singing and bursting crackers to express their joy over what they described as a historic and long-awaited step.
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All tea workers under the Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS), Margherita Branch, observed a work stoppage and watched the Assembly proceedings together.
Harinanda Gorh, Secretary of ACMS, Margherita Branch, said the decision marks a significant moment in the 200-year history of Assam’s tea industry.
“For the first time, the contribution of tea garden workers has received formal recognition. We are deeply grateful to the dynamic leadership of Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma and Minister Rupesh Gowala for bringing this bill that will finally provide land pattas to tea garden workers,” he said, adding that workers are thankful to the BJP-led governments at both the Union and State levels.
As celebrations continued, tea workers raised slogans praising Prime Minister Narendra Modi, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, minister Rupesh Gowala, Margherita MLA Bhaskar Sharma and the BJP-led Government. The decision is expected to have a transformative impact on the socio-economic security of tea garden communities, who have long demanded land rights.
