Supreme Court Summons Assam’s Chief Secretary Over Unpaid Tea Garden Workers’ Dues
Guwahati: The Supreme Court has summoned Assam’s Chief Secretary to appear on November 14, 2024, to address the prolonged non-payment of dues to tea garden workers employed by Assam Tea Corporation Limited (ATCL).
The directive was issued in response to a contempt petition that has been ongoing since 2012, focusing on the unpaid salaries and allowances of workers.
A bench comprising Justice Abhay S. Oka and Justice Augustine George Masih voiced frustration over the state government’s continued inaction.
The Court noted that despite ATCL generating Rs. 38 crores from rental income, the tea garden workers had not been compensated.
“We direct the Chief Secretary of State of Assam to personally remain present in the Court on the next date, i.e., 14th November 2024,” stated the bench. “The state will have to seriously answer the question of why there is no sincere effort made to pay the dues of the workmen who have worked in tea estates owned by the state of Assam.”
Justice Oka further emphasized that ATCL, as a state-run entity, has a fundamental duty to ensure that its workers are paid.
He even suggested that if the state is unable to effectively manage the tea estates, selling the properties to clear the workers’ dues might be a viable solution.
The Assam government’s legal counsel argued that financial losses were compounded by lessees returning tea gardens to ATCL, citing their lack of profitability.
Additionally, the Court issued a notice to the Union Ministry of Commerce, acknowledging the state’s argument that the central government also shares responsibility in resolving the issue.
This issue has its roots in a 2006 petition filed by the International Union of Food and Agricultural Workers, which led to a 2010 Supreme Court directive.
The Court had then ordered the disbursement of Rs. 645 crores in unpaid wages to 28,556 workers across 25 tea gardens, 15 of which are managed by ATCL.
In 2020, a one-person committee led by retired Justice A.M. Sapre determined that the total dues owed to the workers amounted to Rs. 414.73 crores, with an additional Rs. 230.69 crores due to the Provident Fund Department.
Despite these assessments and directives, the full payment has yet to be made, leaving workers to endure a prolonged period of financial hardship.
The Supreme Court’s insistence on the Chief Secretary’s presence signifies the seriousness of the matter. The coming weeks will be crucial as the state government prepares to provide a detailed explanation, while affected tea garden workers hope for long-awaited justice and relief.