Spread the Benefits Equally

It has been observed that public funds are being misused by the ruling dispensation in Assam in the interest of vote bank politics. As we know, tea gardens in Assam are either owned by large companies or native planters who are supposed to provide all facilities like accommodation, water, electricity and dry ration commodities (rice, atta) at subsidized rates to all workers. The gardens have been doing this since pre-independence British period. But ahead of Lok Sabha election this year, the BJP-led State government introduced a scheme for supply of rice at Rs 1.00 per kg for tea garden workers. This apart, Dispur recently also introduced another scheme for supply of free medicines to 650 tea gardens. The government is thus indirectly mitigating the burden of expenditure of tea garden owners and thereby helping them earn more profit. Meanwhile, large sections of poor rural people, surviving hand-to-mouth through agricultural activities, remain neglected. If an impartial field survey is made, the actual picture of living standard of rural cultivators of Assam will come out. Tea garden workers are more privileged than rural cultivators, but the ruling dispensation is introducing one scheme after another for tea garden workers apparently for vote bank politics. Assam is lagging behind in development compared to other States due to such unplanned, impractical policies and misuse of public funds. It is high time the powers-be in Dispur plan and utilize public money in more meaningful manner so that all sections of needy people are benefitted.

Pradip Ranjan Kar,

Anand Nagar, Guwahati.