Cachar administration holds meet with tea estates for Puja bonus

Sept. 30: The district administration held a meeting for payment of bonus for the year 2019-2020 in the tea estates of Cachar district here on Tuesday. Chairing the meeting at her office conference hall, Deputy Commissioner, Cachar, Keerthi Jalli requested the tea garden owners to sort out the Puja bonus well in advance so that the plantation workers get it on time.

“We all know that Durga Puja is approaching. So it is customary to give bonus to the tea garden workers well before the festival. However, as the Puja celebrations this year will be a low key affair amidst the corona pandemic, there is speculation that the number of infections might increase during the festivity with the advent of winter. As such, everyone has to be more cautious as the disease becomes more virulent,” Jalli said. The Deputy Commissioner urged the tea garden managements to keep strict vigil during the festival so that the Puja is celebrated following all COVID-19 protocols.

Assistant Labour Commissioner, Rupali Pegu informed that as per the Principal Secretary to the Govt. of Assam’s letter No.GLR(RC)108/2017/51 dated 23/09/2020, the process of declaring quantum of of bonus and ex-gratia (if any) should be completed within September 30 and payment of bonus latest by October 12. In the meeting, Secretary ITA and TAI representatives stated that last year payment of bonus was done peacefully and amicably in Cachar district and this year also they expected the same and requested the managements and district authorities for their support and cooperation. They also thanked the workers’ unions for extending support to the entire process.

Owing to lesser number of ATMs and limitations of CSP personnel, the associations expressed doubts that the entire procedure of bonus payment would not be possible through digital transactions and in such an event, the tea estates would have to go in for cash payment. Towards this end, the associations felt that the BCSU and the district authorities required to put in place necessary arrangements for ensuring availability of small denominations in sufficient quantities, thus ensuring timely payment. They also requested the administration for ensuring adequate security during transit of bonus amount from banks to gardens. The tea garden managements also made a plea to the Excise department to see to it that there is no excessive liquor sale and consumption in the tea gardens during bonus payment and puja festival.

The Deputy Commissioner assured that no problem would crop up in regard to lower denomination notes, and necessary security would be provided by the administration during transit of bonus amount together with other logistic support. In course of the meeting, the managements as well as the unions requested to initiate negotiations on the quantum of bonus and ex gratia with immediate effect. It was decided that by October 5, all garden managements have to announce their percentage of bonus and ex gratia, if any, and subsequently to complete the disbursement process by October 12.

Additional Deputy Commissioner, Rajib Roy, Additional Superintendent of Police and other officials attended the meeting.