MLA Rajdeep Goala donates ₹5 lakh, urges CM to take steps for ration & wages in privately managed gardens

April 8: MLA Lakhipur Rajdeep Goala donated an amount of ₹5 lakh in his own personal capacity to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund in the fight against coronavirus. Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal came on a one-day tour of Barak Valley. MLA Goala handed over the cheque in the premises of the office of the Deputy Commissioner, Cachar.

During a high level meeting in the conference room of Deputy Commissioner, Cachar issues related to the further spread of COVID-19 were discussed. The Chief Minister instructed the Deputy Commissioner and other officials to be alert round the clock and oversee distribution of essential commodities. Rajdeep Goala raised the issue of scarcity of drinking water. He urged upon the Chief Minister to instruct the PHE department to maintain regular supply of drinking water in both urban and rural areas.

MLA Rajdeep Goala also raised a very pertinent issue related to the tea garden labourers in the capacity of Joint General Secretary of Barak Cha Sramik Union (BCSU). He mentioned that gardens managed by Assam Tea Corporation are providing ration and wages to its labourers during this lockdown phase. However, the same benefit is not provided by all the privately managed tea gardens. He requested the Chief Minister for his kind intervention and urged upon him to give necessary directions so that the labourers working in the privately managed tea estates can also get ration and wages.

It needs mention that in the event of national lockdown, production in the tea gardens is also closed. Hence, the tea labourers are finding it quite difficult to maintain their livelihood. The Chief Minister gave a patient hearing to MLA Lakhipur and assured to take positive steps after discussing with departmental officials. Later on, while speaking to way2barak, MLA Rajdeep Goala said, “I had a telephonic conversation with J.B. Ekka, principal Secretary of Labour and Tea Welfare, Govt of Assam and explained the miserable condition of the tea labourers. I raised the demand that necessary steps should be immediately taken so that these poor labourers get their ration and wages at this hour of crisis.”