Gaurav Gogoi slams Assam Ceiling Amendment Bill, questions timing and intent

Guwahati: Congress chief Gaurav Gogoi on Saturday sharply criticised the Assam government over the Assam Fixation of Ceiling on Land Holding (Amendment) Bill, which aims to provide land pattas to tea garden workers.

Speaking at a review meeting at Rajiv Bhawan with district presidents, secretaries and coordinators from 22 districts, Gogoi questioned the “timing, intent and practicality” of the legislation. He said the move may “remain only on paper.”

Gogoi asked why the government waited ten years to bring a law on a long-standing demand of tea workers. “Tea workers have struggled for generations for land rights. If the government truly cared, they would have passed this Bill during the Sarbananda Sonowal era or after Himanta Biswa Sarma took over as Chief Minister,” he said.

He accused the BJP government of presiding over the decline of Assam’s tea sector instead of strengthening it. Gogoi alleged that many gardens saw forced sales, exits of major companies and transfers to inexperienced managers.

“Workers stopped receiving PF, bonuses and basic facilities. And today, before giving pattas, the government doesn’t even have an official record of garden ownership,” he added.

Gogoi also questioned the Chief Minister’s transparency in land matters. He alleged that some tea gardens linked to the CM and his family have been converted into resorts and luxury projects. “If the CM is committed, he should first publish the list of gardens owned by his family. Let pattas be given there first,” he said.

He added that the Congress may take tea workers to these gardens to independently document ownership records and “place the truth before the people of Assam.”

Gogoi highlighted what he called a collapse of basic services inside tea estates. He claimed the Jal Jeevan Mission has made no progress in tea gardens despite being overseen by a minister close to the Chief Minister.

“There are no doctors. Cases of tuberculosis and anaemia are rising at alarming levels. So, from November 30, we will hold health camps across tea gardens,” he announced.

Accusing the government of widespread corruption in welfare schemes for the tea community, Gogoi said Congress workers will launch district-wise protest programmes from December 10. He said facilities available under Tarun Gogoi’s tenure such as subsidised essentials, free laptops for meritorious students, and sewing machines and power tillers have disappeared under the current regime.

He further alleged that tea estates now face a growing crisis of alcohol and drug abuse, worsened by government neglect.

Gogoi also targeted the overall governance model. “As long as cattle syndicates, coal mafias and criminal networks remain close to those in power, the dignity of the Assembly will continue to erode. Assam wants new politics, not syndicates,” he said.

Concluding the meeting, Gogoi said the Congress is ready to rebuild trust among tea workers and voters. “The people of Assam want a new politics and a new Assam. Congress will bring new dreams and a renewed Assam,” he said.