Assam Announces Rs 15,000 Financial Aid for Pregnant Women and Newborns in Tea Gardens

Guwahati:Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced a new financial aid program aimed at supporting pregnant women and newborns in the state’s tea gardens. Under this initiative, eligible women will receive a one-time assistance of Rs 15,000, as part of the broader ‘Wage Compensation Scheme’ designed to promote women’s empowerment and ensure their welfare.The announcement, shared via the Chief Minister’s official social media, highlights the success of the initiative, which has already benefited over 1.3 lakh women across the state. According to Sarma, the scheme has directly transferred Rs 127.77 crore to the bank accounts of women workers, contributing to their financial stability.This move is part of the Assam government’s ongoing efforts to improve the lives of women in tea garden communities. It follows earlier reforms aimed at enhancing the living and working conditions of tea garden workers, many of whom face economic and social challenges.In addition to this financial aid program, the government has also introduced stricter regulations for land use in tea garden areas under its Mission Bashundhara 3 initiative. The new rules seek to address the issue of unauthorized housing on tea garden land, which has been a growing concern. Any new construction on tea garden land will now be treated as a criminal offense, based on recommendations from the Justice (Retd.) Biplab Sharma Commission.To protect long-standing residents, the Assam government has offered a one-time relief package for individuals who have been living on tea garden land prior to December 31, 2022. These residents will have the opportunity to legally acquire the land by paying a nominal 10 percent premium.The new policies aim to preserve the integrity of Assam’s tea plantations while ensuring that the rights of indigenous people and long-term residents are respected. The government has assured that these changes will not adversely affect members of the tea plantation community who are building homes on their own land.