Guwahati, Mar 26 (PTI) Congress leader and Jharkhand minister Bandhu Tirkey on Thursday accused the BJP government in Assam of deceiving Adivasi tea garden workers by marginally increasing their wages while several estates have been sold off.
Addressing a press conference here, Tirkey said that the tea workers did not receive the wages they deserved and that the wages were recently increased by a mere Rs 30.
Besides, he said there was no formal agreement and established norms for wage revision were not implemented.
The Congress Election Observer for Assam further asked why daily wages for tea workers have not been properly fixed despite promises made during previous elections.
The Assam government, in a recent cabinet decision, had increased the wages of tea garden workers by Rs 30, with their wages being Rs 280 in the Brahmaputra Valley and Rs 258 in the Barak Valley.
“The BJP government has attempted to undermine Adivasi and tea worker communities, and since the formation of the current government, several tea estates across the state have been sold off,” he alleged.
Referring to the Charaideo tea estate, he said several gardens have either shut down or been sold.
He also alleged that in 12 tea estates under the Government of India, wages and rations are not being provided on time, and this too ”amounted to a betrayal of workers”.
Tirkey accused the Assam chief minister of handing them over to industrialists and associates for setting up industries.
”The impact on workers should have been considered before taking such decisions. “Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma must respond to the questions raised by the people and the opposition,” he said.
He said that during the Congress government, under former chief minister Tarun Gogoi, a special committee was constituted to determine tea garden workers’ wages. After the BJP came to power and Sarma became chief minister, the committee became inactive and was prevented from performing its intended functions.
Tirkey demanded an explanation on why the committee became defunct.
He further alleged that there is widespread corruption in Assam and claimed that people are aware of the “syndicate” system under Sarma, leading to a strong anti-incumbency sentiment.
Referring to the 2001 killing of Adivasi youths, Raju Munda and Pushpa Gowala, in Bishwanath, Tirkey criticised the BJP government for not ordering an investigation despite allegations against BJP MLA Padma Hazarika.
He said several organisations had protested, yet no probe was initiated and justice was denied to the victims’ families.
“How can the BJP seek votes from Adivasi and tea worker communities under such circumstances?” he asked.
The Congress leader asserted that Adivasi and tea workers in Assam have resolved to remove Sarma from power and form a Congress-led government under Gaurav Gogoi’s leadership.
He stated that the Congress will soon release its manifesto and that senior leaders Rahul Gandhi, Mallikarjun Kharge, and Priyanka Gandhi will campaign in Assam.
Tirkey said that certain individuals who prioritised personal interests have left the Congress and expressed confidence that the party will form the government in Assam this time.
Claiming that a new government will be formed in Assam this time, Tirkey said “people are determined to vote for change and end BJP rule.” PTI DG DG RG
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