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The Tea Association of India (TAI) has informed the government in ballot-certain Assam to handle its issues about an amended legislation granting plantation staff the simply to land in the tea estates.
In February, the BJP-led Pronounce Authorities amended the Assam Fixation of Ceiling on Land Retaining Act to grant excellent land rights to 3.5 lakh families of plantation staff in the labour lines of bigger than 800 tea estates across the Pronounce.
Speaking on the Thirty seventh biennial traditional assembly of the affiliation’s Assam branch, TAI president Shailja Mehta welcomed the government’s intent to fabricate land deeds to plantation staff. However, she underlined particular administrative and excellent complexities.
She stated that many tea gardens hold mortgaged their land as collateral for loans, and transferring such lands would possibly possibly well invent financial and excellent complications.
“Moreover, the Land Ceiling Act applies only to land and to not firm-built resources corresponding to labour quarters. Adequate compensation must aloof, subsequently, be ensured below the Ultimate to Ultimate Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013,” Ms. Mehta stated.
She moreover highlighted the statutory obligations. “Below the Occupational Safety, Smartly being, and Working Prerequisites Code, 2020 (earlier the Plantations Labour Act, 1951), administration stays to blame for housing and welfare companies and products. Switch of land with out corresponding excellent amendments would possibly possibly well lead to persisted criminal responsibility on administration,” she stated.
Labour code changes
The affiliation moreover raised issues over the labour code changes utilized in November 2025, noting that with regards to 60% of tea manufacturing prices are linked to labour. It informed the government to fully recognise in-form advantages in wage calculations, reasonably than limiting them to fifteen%.
“However, the tea commerce continues to hold colossal responsibility for providing welfare advantages in form below the Occupational Safety, Smartly being, and Working Prerequisites Code, main to duplication of financial burden and affecting sustainability,” Ms. Mehta stated.
The TAI requested the free up of pending subsidies below the Assam Tea Industries Special Incentive Plan, warning that delays would possibly possibly well affect the commerce’s financial steadiness.
The affiliation moreover expressed ache over geopolitical tensions and skill disruptions in key markets, including Iran, Iraq, the UAE, and China, amid experiences of the possible closure of the Strait of Hormuz. It warned that any disruption would possibly possibly well affect export volumes, transport routes, and pricing.
India’s tea exports reached a file 280 million kg in 2025, producing ₹8,488 crore.
Published – March 30, 2026 01:36 am IST
