GUWAHATI, The demonetization move and limit of withdrawal through cheque have affected the tea industry in Assam. Tea estates across the State are facing problems in paying weekly wages to their workers, as the payment is made in cash.
The problem has been aggravated due to the fact that majority of tea workers don’t have bank accounts. There are 800 registered tea estates in the State, with a combined strength of 20 lakh workers.
Following the Centre’s demonetization of Rs 500 and Rs 1000 notes, the Consultative Committee of Planters’ Association has sent a letter to the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) requesting the latter to exempt the tea estates for a few days so that they can pay their weekly wages in cash without hassles. But no response has come from the RBI in this regard. The Association has also informed the State government about its problem.
In this regard, Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal instructed all deputy commissioners and superintendents of police to assist tea estate managements in collection of notes of smaller denominations, while specifically directing that regular rations for the workers should continue as before.
Along with the tea industry in the State, the real estate sector too is passing through a harrowing phase due to the demonetization move. Real estate companies are finding it very difficult to pay wages to their workers. The payment of wages to real estate workers are made every Saturday or Sunday. Source: The Sentinel
