Assam: Margherita tea workers receive cheques under state welfare scheme

Cheque distribution under the state welfare scheme Mukhya Mantri Eti Koli Duta Paat reached 3,752 tea garden workers in Assam’s Margherita co-district on January 25, with beneficiaries drawn from Namdang and Margherita tea estates.

The local event followed a live telecast of the state-level programme from Doomdooma, where Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma addressed beneficiaries and officials. In Margherita, 1,884 workers from Namdang Tea Estate and 1,868 from Margherita Tea Estate received one-time financial assistance under the scheme.

Officials said the scheme aims to provide immediate economic support and strengthen social security for tea garden workers, a workforce that has underpinned Assam’s tea industry for nearly two centuries.

The disbursal marks part of a wider rollout planned across tea estates in the co-district over the coming days.

Administrative officials, panchayat representatives and tea estate managers were present during the distribution, along with local residents and media personnel.