After 200 years, a dream comes true: PM Modi grants land ownership rights to tea workers
Jorhat, March 26
Jagdu Dusadh has been granted land ownership rights to build his own home. He has worked in tea gardens for four generations, and his dream has finally come true.
Jagdu Dusadh stated that it was Narendra Modi who fulfilled his dream, a dream that has finally materialised after four generations.
Purusuttam Ghatwar, a union leader of the Assam Tea Workers' Association, said that 1,200 tea workers are affiliated with his union; approximately 900 of them have already received land ownership rights, while the rest are yet to receive theirs.
Some workers mention that while they have not yet received their land deeds/rights, they have faith in Modi that they, too, will eventually secure a home of their own.
P K Bezbaruah, former Chairman of the Tea Board of India, noted that more than 75 years have passed since the end of British rule and the country's independence, and only now have the workers finally received justice.
After 200 years, workers have been granted land ownership rights to build their homes; the government plans to extend these land rights to a total of 400,000 to 500,000 tea workers.
PK Bezbaruah added that the daily wages paid to these workers are currently quite low and are in urgent need of an increase.
Several female workers have stated that they receive a daily wage of only ₹250, which they consider to be woefully inadequate.
The majority of the workforce in tea gardens consists of women labourers, who state that while promises are made to provide various daily necessities, including rice, flour, firewood, sugar, soap, and cooking oil, these items are, in reality, never received.
On March 13, taking a historic step for tea garden workers in Assam, Prime Minister Narendra Modi distributed over 28,000 land leases (Land Pattas).
— ANI
Reader Comments
A wonderful initiative, but the article also highlights the core issue. ₹250 daily wage is shockingly low. Land rights are crucial, but economic justice means a living wage too. Hope the government addresses this urgently.
My heart goes out to the women workers. Promised rations but never received? This is the real story behind the gardens. The land patta is a big win, but the system needs a complete overhaul. Accountability is key.
Better late than never, as Mr. Bezbaruah said. 75 years after independence, this basic right is granted. It's a shame it took so long, but credit where it's due for finally setting this injustice right. Now for the wages...
Imagine the feeling of having your own *pakka ghar* after 4 generations! This is what true development looks like - empowering the most marginalised. Hope the scheme reaches all 5 lakh workers smoothly. 🙏
A respectful criticism: While celebrating this, we must ask why the wage issue and ration promises remain unfulfilled. One good step doesn't fix decades of exploitation. The focus must remain on comprehensive welfare, not just one event.
The scale of this is impressive -
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.