Assam News: Assam Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi on Saturday sharply criticized the Assam Fixation of Ceiling on Land Holding (Amendment) Bill, introduced by the Assam government. This bill seeks to grant land leases to tea garden workers. At a review meeting held at Rajiv Bhavan, attended by district presidents, secretaries, and coordinators from 22 districts, Gogoi raised serious questions about the bill’s “timing, intent, and practicality.” He said the move could prove to be merely a “paper announcement.” Gogoi questioned why the government took ten years to implement it if the issue was so important. According to him, the bill could have been implemented during the BJP’s first term, when Sarbananda Sonowal was Chief Minister, or as soon as Himanta Biswa Sarma assumed office.
The plight of the tea industry and questions of transparency regarding ownership rights
Gogoi alleged that instead of strengthening tea workers, the government had pushed Assam’s tea industry “to the brink of collapse.” He said that in recent years, forced sales, large companies leaving the state, and plantations being handed over to inexperienced managers have weakened the industry. As a result, workers have stopped receiving PF, bonuses, and basic amenities. He said that the current situation is such that the government doesn’t even have clear records of the total number of plantation owners. Questioning the Chief Minister’s role, Gogoi said that if the Chief Minister truly wants to grant land rights to workers, he should make public the list of tea plantations run by him and his family. He also alleged that efforts are underway to convert many plantations into “resorts and luxury facilities” and demanded that workers be given leases on such plantations first.
Serious Health, Drinking Water, and Social Crisis
Gogoi also expressed concern over the poor state of infrastructure in tea plantations. He said that the drinking water supply in tea plantations under the Jal Jeevan Mission is extremely poor, even though the responsibility for this mission lies with a minister close to the Chief Minister. Referring to the health crisis, he said that cases of tuberculosis and anemia are rapidly increasing, and doctors are not available in the plantations. To address this, the Congress will organize health camps in tea plantations across the state from November 30th. Gogoi claimed that there has been “widespread corruption” in tea worker welfare schemes, and for this reason, the Congress will launch district-level protests from December 10th. He said that the benefits provided during the Tarun Gogoi government—essential commodities at low prices, free laptops for meritorious students, and sewing machines and power tillers for workers—have now been completely eliminated. He also alleged that the plantations are currently in the grip of alcoholism and drug abuse, which is deepening the social crisis.
Governance, Criminality, and the Message of ‘New Politics’
Continuing his speech, Gogoi expressed serious concern about the governance system in Assam. He said that as long as “animal smugglers, coal mafias, and criminal networks” remain active within power, the dignity of the Assembly and the sanctity of democratic institutions will continue to be compromised. He said that the people of the state are now disillusioned with this system and are demanding “new politics.” At the end of the meeting, Gogoi expressed confidence that the Congress will be able to regain the trust of tea garden workers and the general voter. He said, “The people of Assam are looking for new dreams and a new Assam. The Congress will bring a new Assam, new hopes, and a new Congress.”
