Assam CM Sonowal Salutes Labourers on International Tea Day 2020

Guwahati:

On the occasion of United Nations (UN) International Tea Day, Assam Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal addressed the people and paid his respects to those attached to the world-renowned tea industry in Assam, which is the leading producer in India.

Sonowal, lauding Assam's renowned tea industry in a Twitter video said, "Today, on this auspicious occasion, I express my gratitude to the to the people associated with the tea industry in Assam. This 200-year-old Assam tea industry has brought respect to the people Assam in the eyes of 770 crore people across the world. This industry has been able to occupy a place in the world market. And the Assam tea has made possible 52% of the production in the nation."

Sonowal in the video also called upon the people of Assam to cooporate to further strengthen this industry and enable it to reach new heights. "I hope people will acknowledge the tea workers who have toiled and sweated in labour and will extend their gratitude", he added further.

It is pertinent to mention here that the tea industry in Assam is seen to be facing a crisis in the midst of the nationwide lockdown which came with its own set of rules and restrictions. Due to a reduced manpower owing to the lockdown, the industry has incurred losses in the crores. However, with the easing of the restrictions, 100% of the tea garden labourers have been allowed back on the plantations, albeit with the directives to strictly adhere to safety measures to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus.

The International Tea Day is observed annually on May 21, according to the United Nations. The concerning resolution was adopted on December 21, 2019 and calls were made to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization to lead the observance of the Day across the world.