DIBRUGARH, Dec 19 - A controversial move by the BJP government at the Centre in September last year to stop tea labourers� rations has been nullified by the Gauhati High Court on Friday. The Court has instructed that rations to tea labourers in Assam should be continued as usual. The Assam Chah Mazdoor Sangha (ACMS) had filed a case at the Gauhati High Court on January 7 this year, challenging the legality and validity of a Central government circular (issued on September 23, 2014) which sought to stop rations to tea garden labourers in Assam. The High Court has ordered release of this month�s rations without delay.
ACMS general secretary Dileswar Tanti said the court order has come as a major relief to lakhs of tea garden workers in the State, and termed the order as a �huge victory for the ACMS.� Food items like rice, atta etc., are provided for tea workers at a subsidised rate, which tea garden owners purchase and re-sell at reduced prices among workers as a social welfare activity.
