Assam’s CM recently launched the flagship Mukhyamantrir Eti Koli Duti Paat scheme at Doomdooma in Tinsukia district, calling it a heartfelt tribute to generations of tea garden workers who built Assam’s global tea legacy.

Key Features of the Scheme

• Under the scheme, the State government will disburse over Rs 300 crore.
• Under the scheme, one-time financial assistance of Rs 5,000 each will be given to over six lakh tea workers.
• Coverage includes permanent and casual workers across 836 tea estates, spread over 27 districts and 73 Assembly constituencies.

Social Security and Dignity Measures

• Inauguration of mobile creches and mobile toilet services to improve childcare, health and workplace dignity.
• Special focus on women workers, pregnant labourers and young mothers.

Employment, Land and Inclusion

• 3% reservation for tea tribes and indigenous communities under the OBC category in Grade III and Grade IV government jobs.
• Announcement of land rights (pattas) for tea garden workers and indigenous families living in labour lines, with safeguards against transfer to outsiders.

Education, Health and Livelihood Support

• 120 model schools established in tea garden areas; 100 more proposed.
• Reserved medical and paramedical seats for students from tea tribes.
• Scholarships for over 1.5 lakh students, self-employment support under the Shaheed Dayal Das Panika scheme, mobile medical units, wage compensation for pregnant workers, and promotion of sports through tea garden football tournaments.

Cultural Recognition

• Jhumoir dance was highlighted as a symbol of resilience, with renewed national platforms for tea garden youth.
• The initiative coincides with the bicentenary of Assam tea, with similar programmes across tea-growing regions.

Exam Hook – 

Q. Consider the following statements:

1. Mukhyamantrir Eti Koli Duti Paat scheme provides one-time financial assistance to tea garden workers.
2. The scheme covers only permanent workers employed in government-owned tea estates.
3. Assam has provided reservation in government jobs for tea tribes under the Other Backward Classes category.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer: 1 and 3 only

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