HT Bureau
GUWAHATI, Jan 4: Stating that healthcare is now reaching even the last worker living in tea garden areas, Minister Kaushik Rai on Saturday said that the Assam government, under the visionary leadership of Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma, has placed strong emphasis on the health and welfare of tea garden workers. He was addressing a large gathering at Dewan Tea Estate, which has been selected as a pilot site for the Swasthyaban Shramik Yojana in Cachar district.
Speaking at the programme, the Minister for Food, Public Distribution and Consumer Affairs, Mines and Minerals and Barak Valley Development described the initiative as a reflection of the state government’s people-centric governance model. Thanking the Chief Minister for approving the pilot project, he said the scheme marks a decisive step towards improving the quality of life of tea garden workers, who form the backbone of Assam’s tea economy. Congratulating the residents of Dewan Tea Estate for being chosen among 20 tea gardens across the state, he said the government’s approach goes beyond announcements and focuses on sustained service delivery. He added that inclusive development is possible only when health, dignity and social security are addressed together.
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Minister Rai also placed on record his appreciation for outgoing Cachar Deputy Commissioner Mridul Yadav, IAS, who attended the programme on his last day in the district. He lauded Yadav’s administrative commitment and effective coordination in strengthening district-level implementation of welfare schemes. Further strengthening healthcare infrastructure in tea garden areas, the minister announced that Rs 3 lakh has been approved for each of the 27 tea garden hospitals in Cachar district for their upgradation into Ayushman Arogya Mandirs. He also laid the foundation stone for repair and renovation works of seven tea estate hospitals under Lakhipur Legislative Assembly Constituency.
Addressing the gathering, Cachar DC Mridul Yadav said the Swasthyaban Shramik Yojana has clear guidelines and practical objectives that can significantly improve health outcomes in tea garden areas. Expressing confidence in the district health machinery, he assured that the administration would extend full cooperation to achieve the goal of “Health for All” for the tea garden population.
Earlier, Joint Director of Health Services Dr Shibananda Roy outlined the core objectives of the programme, stating that early detection of diseases and timely medical intervention remain its primary focus. He spoke about common and preventable illnesses prevalent among tea estate workers and assured that the Health Department would take all necessary steps to ensure sustained medical support for the community.
As part of the initiative, a comprehensive health camp was organised at Dewan Tea Estate where specialist doctors and general physicians provided OPD services, laboratory investigations, eye screening, non-communicable disease and malaria screening, child immunisation and free medicines. A total of 293 patients were examined across various departments, reflecting strong outreach and participation.
During the programme held at Dewan Nichline Main Durga Mandap, nine tuberculosis patients from Lakhipur Legislative Assembly Constituency were handed over Nikshya Poshan Kits by the minister, the district commissioner and other dignitaries, reinforcing nutritional and social support under the national TB elimination drive. The programme was attended by PRI members of Lakhipur LAC, the SDM and health officers of Lakhipur and Harinagar BPHCs, NHM district programme manager Rahul Ghosh and other officials.
