CM hands over Rs 5L each to kin of Arunachal accident victims, Rs 1L to survivor

Guwahati: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday handed over one-time financial assistance of Rs 5 lakh each to the families of the 20 tea estate workers from Gelapukhuri Tea Estate who lost their lives after the truck they were travelling in plunged into a deep gorge while en route to Chaglagam from Tinsukia on Dec 8. He also provided Rs 1 lakh to the lone survivor of the accident, who is currently undergoing treatment.

“Taking members of the tea tribe community as labourers to Arunachal Pradesh is a matter of concern. We have seen that many children of tea garden workers drop out of school midway and go to work in Arunachal Pradesh. Financial hardship is a major reason behind this. We know that tea garden workers do not earn enough to sustain their families, which sometimes compels them to send their children to work outside the state, even against their wishes,” he said.

The CM added that the state govt will introduce necessary guidelines to regulate such work-related migration.

He added that there is an allegation of human trafficking from tea garden areas. “In most cases, workers go with the consent of their families or guardians, and such instances cannot be termed human trafficking. It becomes trafficking only when a person is lured away without the knowledge of family members,” the CM said.

The CM said industrialisation in the state is essential to stop workers from going outside the state in search of work. “That is why I always say that industrialisation should happen in Assam, and people must cooperate. If we fail to create an industrial atmosphere here, workers will continue to migrate and face an uncertain future,” he said.

Sarma directed the Tinsukia district administration to ensure that the families of the deceased get monthly financial benefits of Rs 1,250 under the Orunodoi Scheme. He also instructed the district commissioner to ensure that families must get ration cards who do not already have those.

The CM directed the administration to ensure all necessary medical care for the survivor of the accident.