Guwahati: Assam govt will dispatch two delegations to Jharkhand to observe ‘special matters’ in the state, chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced adding that the state cabinet will finalise this decision at their Dec 5 meeting.
This initiative follows Jharkhand cabinet, led by Hemant Soren, announcing their plan to send a delegation to Assam to evaluate the working condition of Jharkhand’s tribal people employed in Assam’s tea estates. In response, CM Sarma, while addressing the media on Saturday night, disclosed his govt’s intention to send teams to conduct research on specific matters in Jharkhand. He expressed readiness to showcase the developmental initiatives to the visiting Jharkhand delegation.
“On Dec 5, our cabinet shall make a decision. We shall visit Jharkhand to observe two to three things there,” Sarma said, responding to queries about the Hemant-cabinet’s decision. Sarma emphasised his govt’s transparency and welcomed the Jharkhand delegation’s visit.
“We shall be pleased if they visit us. We have accomplished numerous works. Nevertheless, we shall send two delegations. They are sending one. They shall observe us, we shall observe them,” the Assam CM added. Hemant voiced concern about the community’s circumstances in Assam and advocated for their recognition as STs. This has been a long-standing demand of Assam’s tea tribe organisations.
The tea tribes in Assam hold an OBC status but have been seeking ST status, alongside five other indigenous communities — Moran, Motok, Chutia, Tai-Ahom, and Koch-Rajbongshi. All presently hold OBC status. Regarding tea garden workers of Assam, many of whose ancestors originated from present-day Jharkhand, their primary demand for increased daily wages ‘remains unfulfilled’ for over a decade. Some organisations now demand daily wages exceeding Rs 500, while the previous demand of Rs 350 per day remains unmet.
The BJP-led govt in Assam maintains that they implemented several welfare measures for tea tribes by increasing wages to certain levels and improving their health and education.