Latest news with #MissionBasundhara
Hans India
2 days ago
- Business
- Hans India
Assam CM announces measures for tea garden community
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, on Monday, announced a series of welfare and development initiatives aimed at uplifting the state's tea garden community, reaffirming what he called the government's "unwavering commitment" to the sector and its workers. In a post on social media platform X titled "Brewing Progress", CM Sarma outlined a multi-pronged plan covering higher wages, education, skill development, job reservations, and industry incentives. "We are empowering communities and safeguarding Assam's identity," he said. Among the key measures is a hike in tea workers' daily wages to Rs 250, effective from October 1 -- a long-standing demand of worker unions. The state will also roll out the 'Eti Koli, Duti Paat' scheme, offering one-time financial assistance to seven lakh tea workers. On the education front, more than 200 new Tea Garden Schools and Tea Garden Model Schools are planned, alongside the construction of 500 Jagannath community halls-cum-skill centres to provide vocational training and meeting spaces. The government has also earmarked a three per cent reservation in state government jobs for members of the tea community and granted them exemption from domicile requirements under Mission Basundhara, easing access to land and housing benefits. To boost the industry, the Assam Tea Industries Special Incentives Scheme will provide targeted support for producers, with the aim of increasing competitiveness and sustainability. Cultural preservation is also on the agenda, with large-scale events like 'Jhumoir Binandini' set to promote traditional art and identity. The Chief Minister stressed that these measures are part of a broader, ongoing effort to improve living standards for Assam's tea workers, who form a vital part of the state's social and economic fabric. "And many more (initiatives) to come," CM Sarma said, hinting at further announcements in the months ahead. The tea industry, employing millions across Assam, has long grappled with low wages, poor infrastructure, and limited access to education. The new package, government officials say, aims to change that narrative -- blending welfare with growth to ensure that progress is truly brewed in every cup of Assam tea.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Arms licences to indigenous people will only be given after proper evaluation: Himanta
Guwahati, Amid criticism over the Assam government's decision to provide arms licence to indigenous people, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Sunday said it will only be given after "proper evaluation". Arms licences to indigenous people will only be given after proper evaluation: Himanta Speaking to reporters, Sarma said land rights also needed to be ensured for the indigenous people, along with arms licences. "Guns are required. If you don't have a gun, how will you stay in South Salmara-Mankachar and Bagbar? If you go there, you will understand," he said on the sidelines of a programme in Baksa, when asked about the criticism over the "lenient" arms licence policy. "There are 20,000-25,000 people surrounding it, and 100 people are staying in a 'Satra' amid them. They will need something," he claimed. Sarma maintained that gun licences will be provided only after due evaluation and verification. "Guns are needed, land is needed, rights are needed. But everything has to be within the purview of the law, not outside it," he added. The state cabinet had on May 28 decided that the government would give arms licences to indigenous people living in "vulnerable and remote" areas for instilling a sense of security in them. Sarma had identified Dhubri, Morigaon, Barpeta, Nagaon and South Salmara-Mankachar districts, and localities like Rupahi, Dhing and Jonia as "vulnerable and remote". All these areas are largely dominated by Bengali-speaking Muslims. The opposition claims that the decision is aimed at polarising the people, and has the potential to jeopardise the state's hard-won peace. Asked about possible eviction drives in Bodoland Territorial Region , where Baksa is located, Sarma said there is no proposal at the moment as indigenous people of the area are yet to get their land ownership documents. "Eviction drives were started in the rest of the state only after land rights were settled under 'Mission Basundhara'. In BTR, first indigenous and rightful residents have to get the 'patta'. After that, we can go for eviction,' he said. Claiming that the situation was as "grave in BTR as in the rest of Assam", Sarma said, 'Every time I am here, I see that the vote of a certain community is increasing. And if it continues to happen, the Bodos and other people of BTR who have sacrificed for this land will not have the political power in their hands." Dismissing criticism against the eviction drives, he said, "Miya Muslims have gone to upper Assam, north Assam, to change the demography of the state. We will have to take legal steps against them, evict them as per the law. I am not bothered who says what about it." 'Miya' is originally a pejorative term used for Bengali-speaking Muslims in Assam, and the non-Bengali speaking people generally identify them as Bangladeshi immigrants. In recent years, activists from the community have started adopting this term as a gesture of defiance. This article was generated from an automated news agency feed without modifications to text.
