Assam govt gives ₹5,000 aid to 6 lakh tea garden workers under ‘Eti Koli Duti Paat’

The Assam government on Sunday disbursed a one-time financial assistance of ₹5,000 each to nearly six lakh tea garden workers under the ‘Eti Koli Duti Paat’ scheme, reinforcing its outreach to the Tea Tribe community ahead of the state assembly elections.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma launched the scheme at Doomdoma in Tinsukia district, a major centre of Assam’s tea industry. According to the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO), over ₹300 crore was transferred directly to beneficiaries across 836 tea gardens spread over 27 districts and 73 assembly constituencies .

Calling the initiative a gesture of gratitude, Sarma said the contribution of tea garden workers over the last two centuries had given Assam tea its distinct global identity. The scheme coincides with the celebration of 200 years of Assam Tea .

At the same event, the chief minister also inaugurated mobile crèches and mobile toilet services to improve childcare facilities, hygiene, dignity and workplace safety for tea garden workers.

The Sarma-led government has rolled out a series of welfare measures for the Tea Tribe community in recent years. These include legislative steps to provide ownership rights over labour line land , three per cent reservation for eligible youth in Grade III and IV state government jobs, and the reservation of 30 MBBS seats in state medical colleges for Tea Tribe students.

In addition, model high schools and higher secondary schools have been established in tea garden areas, hostels are under construction for students, and healthcare infrastructure has been strengthened, particularly with a focus on maternal health .