Union Finance Minister distributes Rs 3000 each to eight lakh tea workers in Assam

DIBRUGARH:

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Saturday distributed Rs 3000 each to 8 lakh tea workers in the third phase of Chah Bagicha Dhan Puraskar Mela at Khanapara in Guwahati.

The scheme aimed at extending banking services and financial inclusion in the tea garden areas.

Speaking at the programme, Sitharaman said, “We would extend our gratitude to the bank employees because of their hard work and dedicated effort that the money was transferred to the bank accounts of the beneficiaries.”

“The tea garden people are the backbone of the Assam economy because they are involved in producing tea. During the Congress rule, the tea tribes-people were exploited and the previous government had done nothing for the development of the people. Our government has been dedicated to the welfare of the tea garden people,” Finance minister said.

“This year’s budget we have announced Rs 1000 crore for the tea garden people of Assam,” she added.

“Our government is concerned for the tea garden people, and within two years the roads for the tea garden will be constructed in an estimated amount of Rs 1400 crore. For their education, our government has already constructed 119 model schools where the children can access higher education,” Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal said.

Union minister of food processing and Industries Rameswar Teli, Finance minister Himanta Biswa Sarma and other MLAs were present at the programme.

(Edited by Laxmi Chyrmang)