31 cases filed against tea garden owners for irregularities

GUWAHATI: Assam government today said it has registered 31 different cases under the Plantation Labour Act against a number of tea garden owners for not implementing various schemes and welfare measures for workers.

"Tea garden owners are not doing enough for the workers and we are taking note of this. We have registered 31 cases so far for not implementing the schemes for workers," Assam Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi said at a press conference here.

However, he declined to elaborate on the nature of the cases and at what stages of investigation they were in.

"Despite telling the owners to give minimum wages for unskilled workers, they are not doing so.

"The current notified minimum wage is Rs 169 per day and they (owners) have to give it," Gogoi said.

He mentioned there were shortages of doctors, houses and other necessary amenities in the tea gardens.

The Chief Minister expressed dissatisfaction over the fact that the tea garden owners frequently go to the Court and obtain stay over any unfavourable government notifications.

"Now we are determined that the Plantation Labour Act has to be implemented. We cannot allow labourers to be exploited," he said.