In a landmark move to empower Assam’s tea garden workers, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced that the state government will soon introduce legislation to transfer ownership of residential land in tea estates to the workers who have lived there for generations. The Chief Minister made the declaration during the 19th Biennial Conference of the Assam Tea Tribes Students’ Association (ATTSA), calling it a long-overdue step towards justice for the community.
The proposed Bill, scheduled to be tabled in the Assam Legislative Assembly on November 25, seeks to provide legal land titles to thousands of tea garden labourers who have resided on estate lands for decades without ownership rights. Under this legislation, land will be taken from estate owners and allotted to workers, bringing long-term security and dignity to their families. Sarma stated that the government remains committed to improving the living conditions of the tea tribe population and addressing longstanding issues of inequality.
Alongside the land reform plan, the Chief Minister also announced a three percent reservation in state government jobs for members of the tea tribe community. This quota will cover key positions, including the Assam Civil Service (ACS), Assam Police Service (APS), and other Grade I and II posts. To further strengthen governance and representation, new administrative posts such as magistrates and deputy superintendents of police will also be created in tea garden areas.
Assam’s tea industry employs more than a million workers, many of whom are descendants of labourers brought to the state during the colonial era. Despite being the backbone of one of India’s most iconic industries, the community has long faced economic and social marginalisation. The upcoming Bill is expected to change that, ushering in a new era of inclusion and empowerment for tea garden workers.
Reaffirming his commitment, Sarma said the decision reflects more than just a policy change. It is a promise of equality and respect for those who have contributed immensely to Assam’s tea heritage. The move is being seen as a transformative step that could redefine the future of the state’s tea-growing communities.
