The Assam Assembly approved an amendment to the Assam Fixation of Ceiling of Land Holdings Act on Friday, allowing the government to distribute land within tea estate labour lines for housing ownership. This decision is expected to significantly impact the lives of tea workers who have long been living in these areas.
The assembly session faced interruptions, particularly from opposition members of the All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF), who demanded land rights for residents of ‘char’ or riverine areas, mostly inhabited by Bengali-speaking Muslims. In response, legislators from the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) expressed their support for the government and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma through slogans.
Chief Minister Sarma defended the bill, asserting that it aims to rectify a historical injustice by granting land rights to workers who have toiled in tea gardens for over two centuries. He noted that these workers, historically uprooted from their homes by the British, will now gain legal ownership of their residences, a move he described as a correction of a long-standing error.
The amendment redefines ‘labour lines’ in tea estates, removing them from the original law’s ancillary purposes. This modification enables the government to allocate surplus land for development and integrate tea estate housing into broader government programs focused on housing, welfare, and public health. The specific land allotment for each worker’s family will be communicated through periodic government notifications.
Under the new Act, eligibility extends to both permanent and temporary labourers, as well as their descendants residing in labour lines as of the amendment’s effective date. It specifically includes members of the Tea tribe and Adivasi communities designated by the government. Assam, with its 825 tea estates, has an approximate 218,553 bighas of land occupied by labour colonies. Compensation for those affected is estimated at Rs 3,000 per bigha, totaling around Rs 65.57 crore.
Sarma likened the British treatment of the workers to slavery, declaring that the amendment would liberate them from these “shackles.” He emphasized the significant contribution of tea workers to Assamese society over the last 200 years, underscoring the importance of this recognition.
The Chief Minister also outlined additional welfare initiatives for tea workers, referencing Prime Minister Modi’s encouragement to focus on the development of tea communities. The government plans to introduce a financial support scheme to aid workers in building homes on their newly allotted land.
In response to the AIUDF’s request for land rights in char areas, Sarma assured that the government is conducting surveys in these regions. He confirmed that any eligible individuals will receive rights in due course.
The legislative session was tumultuous, with AIUDF members displaying posters and shouting slogans, prompting a walkout after the Speaker moved to pass the bill via voice vote. Despite the disruptions, lawmakers from various parties backed the initiative to grant land rights to tea workers. The session also included tense exchanges between Sarma and Independent legislator Akhil Gogoi, reflecting the charged political atmosphere.
Original Source: https://www.indiatodayne.in/assam/story/assam-assembly-approves-land-rights-tea-estate-workers-housing-ownership-1310149-2025-11-28?utm_source=rssfeed
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Publish Date: 2025-11-28 20:42:00
