Assam Govt Pledges Rs 500 Wage Target For Tea Garden Workers In New Term

Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Monday announced that the state government will implement a phased increase in wages for tea garden workers, with a long-term target of raising daily wages up to ₹500. The announcement was made as part of the ruling NDA government’s renewed focus on welfare measures for tea plantation communities in the state.

The Chief Minister said that over the past decade, the NDA government has undertaken several initiatives aimed at improving the living standards of tea garden workers, locally referred to as “Cha Shramiks.” He described them as the backbone of Assam’s 200-year-old tea industry and reiterated that their welfare remains a key governance priority. The new wage proposal, he added, would be implemented in a phased manner under the NDA 3.0 roadmap.

Sarma highlighted that the government has already introduced multiple welfare and development measures for tea garden communities, particularly in education and social infrastructure. According to official figures, 118 model high schools have been established in tea garden areas between 2021 and 2026 to improve access to quality education for children of tea workers. These schools are aimed at reducing dropout rates and enhancing educational opportunities in remote plantation regions.

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The government has also outlined plans to expand educational infrastructure further, with a target of setting up 100 additional model high schools in tea garden areas between 2026 and 2031. Officials said these efforts are part of a broader strategy to improve socio-economic conditions in plantation belts by focusing on education, healthcare, skill development, and livelihood support for worker families.

Tea garden workers form a significant part of Assam’s population and play a crucial role in the state’s economy through their contribution to tea production, one of the largest employment-generating sectors in the region. The state government has also been implementing several welfare schemes, including housing assistance, healthcare benefits, scholarships, and financial support aimed at improving overall living conditions in these communities.

The Chief Minister reiterated that the government remains committed to inclusive growth and long-term welfare of tea garden workers. He said the phased wage increase plan is intended to ensure sustainable income growth while continuing broader development initiatives in tea-growing regions. Officials added that detailed implementation frameworks will be developed in consultation with stakeholders in the coming phases.

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