GUWAHATI, Jan 4 � The Consultative Committee of Plantation Associations (CCPA), an umbrella organisation of the tea producers� associations, today demanded continuation of the existing system of foodgrain supply to the tea workers through the tea industry. The CCPA submitted a memorandum to the State Government at a meeting convened by the Food and Civil Supplies Department of the State at Dispur on the issue of National Food Security Act vis-a-vis the tea industry.
Referring to the December 23, 2013 letter of the Principal Secretary, Food and Civil Supplies and Consumers� Affairs of the State Government on the National Food Security Act issue, it said that the letter has indicated discontinuation of the existing system of foodgrain supply to the tea garden workers.
The CCPA asserted in its memorandum that in the likelihood of withdrawing the existing system, the entire issue of ration to workers would have to be reviewed as the industry would not be in a position to issue foodgrains at concessional rates unless allotment is provided by the State Government.
The meeting was presided over by Labour Minister Prithivi Majhi, in which representatives of the CCPA and the Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS) also took part, besides Food and Civil Supply Minister Dr Nazrul Islam and senior officers of the State Government.
