Raju Sahu Criticizes BJP Government Over Tea Industry Decline in Assam
Concerns Raised Over Tea Industry's Future
He accused the government of misleading tea workers with promises of land pattas.
Jorhat, Apr 3: As the election season heats up in Assam, Raju Sahu, the former MLA from Tinsukia and secretary of the Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha, has launched a fierce critique of the ruling BJP government, claiming that the tea sector is on a path to decline.
During a press briefing at the Congress Bhawan in Jorhat, Sahu asserted that despite the BJP's electoral victories backed by tea garden workers and the presence of tea community leaders in power, the government has neglected their welfare.
He pointed out that in the last 11 years, the tea gardens have faced deterioration without any effective policies or legal protections for Assam's historic tea industry.
“No substantial measures have been implemented to safeguard tea gardens. Consequently, multinational corporations are gradually taking over, undermining the industry,” Sahu stated.
He also raised concerns about land rights, accusing the government of deceiving tea workers with unfulfilled promises of land ownership.
“While announcements were made in tea gardens, not a single worker has received land titles. Instead, forms were handed out, followed by excuses about legal complications,” he claimed.
Sahu further questioned the government's employment statistics, noting that although a 3% job reservation for youth from tea gardens was promised, there is no transparency regarding the actual beneficiaries. He also highlighted that the commitment to provide Rs 351 daily wages for tea workers remains unmet after 11 years.
Additionally, he criticized the prolonged delay in granting Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to tea tribes, a promise that was supposed to be fulfilled within 100 days.
“More than a decade has passed, and this promise is still unfulfilled,” he remarked.
Expressing his worries about the tea industry's future, Sahu alleged that policies favoring a select few corporations are detrimental to local producers. He noted that the influx of low-quality tea from countries such as Kenya, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka at lower prices has negatively affected Assam's tea market.
“While the production cost in Assam exceeds Rs 200 per kg, imported tea is being sold at approximately Rs 150 per kg, making it challenging for local producers to compete and leading to the decline of tea gardens,” he explained.
He also mentioned that several well-known companies have already exited the tea business in Assam, selling their estates and shifting to other industries.
Sahu cautioned that if this trend continues, the tea industry, which supports millions, could face significant economic challenges. He also alleged the presence of a “syndicate” system within the tea sector.
Following the press conference, Sahu visited local tea gardens to engage with workers, accompanied by Dinesh Tonglai, the president of Adivasi Congress in Jorhat district.