Assam Cabinet Approves Financial Aid and Bonus Ahead of Durga Puja
Key Decisions by the Assam Cabinet
Himanta Biswa Sarma at the Cabinet meeting on Thursday (Photo: @CMOfficeAssam /X)
Guwahati, Sept 24: On Thursday, the Assam Cabinet approved several initiatives in preparation for Durga Puja, which includes a one-time financial boost for Orunodoi beneficiaries, a 20% bonus for workers of Assam Tea Corporation Limited (ATCL), and an extra holiday during the festive season.
During a briefing after the Cabinet meeting, Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma announced that Orunodoi beneficiaries would receive a special payment of Rs 1,500 in October to coincide with the Puja festivities.
“This payment is specifically for October and has been introduced with Durga Puja in mind. We may consider a similar announcement in April as a Bihu gift,” Sarma stated.
Additionally, the Cabinet sanctioned a 20% bonus for workers in the tea gardens managed by Assam Tea Corporation Limited in light of the upcoming festival.
Sarma noted that out of Assam's 807 tea gardens, 548 have already declared a 20% bonus for their employees, while discussions are ongoing in the remaining 259 gardens.
“Today, ATCL has also confirmed a 20% bonus. I am optimistic that the remaining gardens will follow suit,” he remarked.
In a related development, workers at Harmutty Tea Garden in Lakhimpur district protested against the management of Goodricke Group Limited, demanding a 20% bonus.
On Thursday, hundreds of workers demonstrated, alleging that the company had only approved a 15% bonus.
“We recognized that the garden was incurring losses two years ago, but it is now profitable. Therefore, we are justly demanding what is owed to us,” a protester expressed.
The Cabinet also resolved to declare October 17 as an additional public holiday during the Durga Puja celebrations.
Sarma mentioned that the current holiday schedule for Puja includes Sundays, prompting the Cabinet to add October 17 as a holiday.