Greenfield Airport in Silchar: Tripartite MoU signed with Dolu T.E., trade unions & dist administration

March 8: : A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the Dolu Tea Company Private Limited and various trade unions BCSU, BVCMS, CITU, representing the tea garden workers on Monday in connection with setting up of a proposed greenfield airport in the tea estate.

As per a new proposal, around 2,500 bighas of land will be provided by the tea estate for construction of a Greenfield airport for Barak Valley under the initiative of Silchar MP Dr Rajdeep Roy. An MoU was signed to protect the jobs of the tea garden workers so that the reduction in land pool does not result in job losses. The agreement also stated that upon receipt of compensation from the state government, all dues of the tea estate’s workers will be cleared and the company will not retrench or lay off any worker.

The tea estate’s management assured that it will develop the infrastructure of the tea estate and rejuvenate the garden by extensive plantations on vacant lands of the garden within seven to eight years. Laid upon fears of injustice like they experienced during land acquisition for Mahasadak, the workers were called along with union representatives and assured of all steps to address their needs.

Sharing his reaction over the project, MP. Dr Rajdeep Roy said the government would stand for the interests of the workers of the tea estates and assured that not a single worker would be deprived of their rights. He appealed to the common masses for their help and support for materialisation of the airport project.

In a meeting held in this connection, Cachar Deputy Commissioner Keerthi Jalli stated that the ball is in the court of the management and they must fulfill all the clauses of the agreement in letter and spirit. Director of the tea estate, Naman Ajit Saria assured commitment of fulfilling the terms of the agreement. Leaders of various trade unions like Ajit Singh, Rajdeep Goala stressed that a monitoring committee be set up to make sure that the clauses of the agreement be fulfilled.

MP representative, Abhrojit Chakraborty said, “The sanctioning of the project is happening under leadership of MP Dr Rajdeep Roy. He has also requested the Minister for Civil Aviation to consider locals interest during construction of the airport.”

DC Jalli thanked all the members who were present in the meeting and said it was a historic occasion where Govt is venturing into high-end investments whilst simultaneously protecting interests of the workers and sought the support and cooperation of all the stakeholders to make this mega project a great success.