Assam tea tribes body flags illegal activities at Margherita community centre

A delegation from the Assam Tea Tribes Students Association (ATTSA), Margherita branch committee, conducted an inspection on Saturday at the community centre for the Plantation Labour Office located in Powai, under the 83 no. Margherita Constituency of Tinsukia district. The visit revealed alarming issues plaguing the centre, which has become a hub for gambling and illicit liquor consumption.

Led by Pranjal Baraik, Joint Publicity Secretary of ATTSA Central Committee, the delegation expressed dismay over the current state of affairs at the centre. Initially established to impart skill development training to educated tribal youths, the centre now offers only a single course, and that too in a neglected state.

Baraik further alleged that the community centre, along with 17 other similar centres across Assam, including those under the Ministry of Tea Tribes Welfare and Labour Welfare, has become a source of side income for officials. Despite the distribution of numerous computer sets, their intended use remains unclear, with little evidence of their functional implementation at the Powai centre and others.

Ananta Ghatowar, President of ATTSA Margherita branch committee, criticized the BJP-led government at both state and union levels, accusing them of failing to match their promises of development and welfare with concrete actions. He pointed out the deteriorating infrastructure at the centre, citing broken doors and windows, collapsed boundary walls, encroachment issues, and the dilapidated condition of essential facilities.

Manoj Tanti, Secretary of ATTSA Margherita branch committee, highlighted additional concerns, including illegal occupation of government land by nearby residents, further compromising the centre's functionality.

In response to the dire conditions observed, Pranjal Baraik warned of potential democratic protests by ATTSA Margherita branch committee if immediate steps are not taken to renovate the community centre and address the encroachment issues. The committee emphasized the urgency for government intervention to uphold its commitments towards the welfare of tea garden workers and the overall development of the region.