The Assam Cabinet has approved a Rs 30 increase in the daily wages of tea garden workers, weeks ahead of the forthcoming Assembly elections.
With the revision, workers in the Brahmaputra Valley will receive Rs 280 per day, while those in the Barak Valley will earn Rs 258. The hike will take effect from April 1.
The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma in Guwahati. Announcing the move at a press conference, Sarma described the increase as an interim measure.
The previous wage revision was implemented in October 2023, when daily wages were raised by Rs 18. Assam is expected to go to the polls in March–April this year.
The Chief Minister said a tripartite meeting was held earlier in the day involving representatives of the state government, tea garden labour unions and garden managements to deliberate on the wage issue.
He noted that with the implementation of new Labour Codes by the Centre, wage structures would need to be aligned accordingly. “We may have to sit again within the next six months,” he said, adding that the final daily wage is likely to cross Rs 300.
Also read: Wages of tea garden workers in Assam to increase from March 1
In another decision, the Cabinet approved a five per cent reduction in Value Added Tax (VAT) on Aviation Turbine Fuel (ATF). Sarma said the move would bring ATF prices in Guwahati on par with Kolkata, thereby improving Assam’s competitiveness in the aviation sector.
He said the VAT cut is expected to encourage additional flight operations, strengthen air connectivity and provide a fillip to tourism. Enhanced connectivity, he added, would have multiplier effects across hospitality, trade, transport and allied sectors.
The Cabinet also approved the release of Rs 9,000 as a single instalment under the flagship Orunodoi scheme on March 10. According to the Chief Minister, the amount will be credited to 39.7 lakh beneficiaries, entailing a financial outgo of Rs 3,600 crore in a single day.
Additionally, customised incentives were cleared for Bharat A to Z Pvt Ltd to establish an integrated shipyard and container shipping line at Dharapur in Guwahati with a proposed investment of Rs 475 crore. The project is expected to generate around 900 direct jobs.
The Cabinet also approved incentives for Hotel Polo Towers Group to set up a 100-room five-star hotel in Silchar with an investment of Rs 103.92 crore, projected to create about 200 direct jobs.
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