Assam: New director appointed at Fatemabad tea estate amid disputes over daily wages

The Fatemabad Tea Estate in Baksa district has seen a leadership change, with Om Prakash Singh taking charge as the new director. 

His appointment replaces the controversial tenure of former director Rajesh Jalan, whose administration faced intense criticism for non-payment of wages to workers.

The estate, which had been closed for months due to disputes between workers and management, has now reopened, bringing a wave of hope to its employees. The workers have expressed gratitude to the state government for stepping in to resolve the crisis.

The intervention by the Chief Minister and the Labour Minister proved crucial in addressing the workers' grievances. As part of the resolution, the workers received their pending wages and dues, which had left them financially strained over the past three to four months.

Under Jalan’s tenure, disputes over wage arrears led to sit-ins by workers, culminating in the estate's closure. The situation left many families struggling to make ends meet, sparking widespread discontent.