The tea storm that was brewing in Assam tea industry since January 1, after the government stopped subsidised allotment of food grain to tea gardens to feed its lakhs of plantation labourers, has now been put off for the time being by an order of the Gauhati High Court.
As an interim relief, the High Court has directed the Assam government to continue supplying subsidised ration to tea gardens till further hearing. The Assam government, through an order dated December 18, 2014, had intimated the tea industry that it would stop monthly allotment of subsidised rice and wheat through Food Corporation of India (FCI) to tea gardens from January 1, 2015 onwards. The Assam government had rather passed the blame on to the BJP-ruled central government as it cited a central government directive which informed the state government of stopping bulk allocation of subsidised food grains through FCI to tea gardens. The Centre's decision was taken as it expected the Assam government to roll out the National Food Security Act (NFSA), which would also cover tea garden labourers. However, the implementation of NFSA in Assam has been delayed due to non-completion of digitisation work of beneficiaries.
"Having regard to the fact that there may be disruption of supply of food grains to the tea garden labourers, it is directed that, till the next date fixed, the impugned order dated 18.12.2014 shall remain suspended," the High Court said (a copy of which has been accessed by Business Standard).
The Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangh (ACMS), a body representing the tea garden labourers, had moved the High Court after the December 18 order of the Assam government; demanding restoration of the existing system and on December 7 the High Court passed an interim order in its favour.
Under the existing system, the tea garden managements procure subsidised wheat and rice from FCI and then distribute the same amongst the garden labourers at 50-55 paise per kg. Each labourer is entitled to receive 32.56 kg of rice or wheat every month. In total, the FCI supplies 12,590 tones of food grains to the tea garden owners for further distribution every month. Around 20 lakh tea garden labourers and their dependants benefit from the existing system.
Speaking to Business Standard, SS Gaur, a senior office bearer of ACMS, said that Clause 1 and 2 of Section 2 of NFSA clearly states that wherever there exists a better system, NFSA would not be implemented in those places. "Our system is absolutely fine and has been going on with ease since pre-independence days. We don't see any reason why all of a sudden the government wants to scrap it and create turmoil. Even if we are brought under the NFSA, things would not be the same," Guar said.
If tea garden labourers are finally brought under the NFSA; when rolled out, the monthly allotment of each labourer would come down considerably. The ACMS is of the view that in case the monthly allotment of subsidised food grain comes down with the roll out of NFSA, it would demand a wage hike. But, Gaur expressed his confidence that the High Court would stop roll out of NFSA in tea gardens and that the existing system would prevail.
