Union Minister for Commerce & Industry, Piyush Goyal met stakeholders from Assam’s tea industry, including representatives from producer associations, labour unions, and consumer associations during his visit to Guwahati on November 30. During this discussion, stakeholders presented the numerous challenges plaguing the tea industry.
Assam Chief Minister Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma, in his address, termed the tea industry as not merely a commercial activity but the lifeblood of Assam. He said that the sector directly involves approximately 40 lakh individuals. He emphasized the substantial influence of the industry’s prosperity on the State’s economy. The Chief Minister acknowledged the considerable challenges confronting Assam’s tea industry and underscored the importance of a collaborative, unified approach to resolve these issues. Dr. Sarma highlighted the Central Government’s commitment through the Prime Minister’s Tea Workers Scheme, which has earmarked ₹1,000 cr for the welfare of tea workers. Of this, approximately ₹400 cr have been allocated to Assam, to be used for improving the health and education of the State’s tea workforce.
