Himanta Government Marks 200 Years Of Assam Tea With Rs 342 Crore Grant For Tea Workers, Employees In State

The Assam government has approved a Rs 342 crore special grant for nearly 7 lakh tea workers and small tea growers under the ‘Eti Koli Duti Paat’ scheme, marking 200 years of Assam Tea, the Assam Tribune reported. 

Each beneficiary will receive Rs 5,000 as a token of appreciation.

“This is a small token of appreciation for a community that is foundational to Assam’s identity,” Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said after the Cabinet meeting held at Lok Sewa Bhawan on Friday (18 July).

The move is part of a broader push to recognise the contributions of tea workers, many of whom belong to economically and socially marginalised groups.

The funds will be disbursed through direct benefit transfers to ensure transparency and efficiency.

In addition to the tea grant, the Cabinet cleared a series of other proposals.

These include an Rs 800 crore investment by Medanta to set up a 500-bed hospital near Sarusajai Stadium in Guwahati, featuring a maternity wing and a Lemon Tree hotel to boost medical tourism.

“This initiative will generate 2,700 direct jobs and elevate Assam’s position on the national healthcare map,” Sarma said.

The Cabinet also approved the establishment of a University for National Disability Studies at Deosar in Kamrup district and sanctioned Rs 357 crore for upgrading Assam Medical College in Dibrugarh.

Approval of Land pattas were granted to 4,000 long-standing institutions under Mission Basundhara 3, with a goal to resolve 13,000 more cases by 31 July.

Eleven evicted families in Lakhimpur will also be allotted land without a premium.

With five western districts facing a 40 per cent monsoon deficit, the Revenue Department has been authorised to declare a drought-like situation and roll out relief measures for farmers.

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