The Supreme Court has summoned Assam’s Chief Secretary to appear on November 14, 2024, to address the state’s failure to settle long-overdue payments to tea garden workers. These dues, pending for years, involve workers employed by Assam Tea Corporation Limited (ATCL). The Court’s directive came in response to a contempt petition that has been active since 2012, centering on the non-payment of salaries and allowances to the tea estate workers. A bench led by Justice Abhay S. Oka, along with Justice Augustine George Masih, expressed frustration with the Assam government’s inaction, despite ATCL generating Rs. 38 crore from rental income.
“We direct the Chief Secretary to be present in person on the next hearing. The state must explain why no genuine effort has been made to pay the workmen their rightful dues,” stated the bench. Justice Oka pointed out that as a state-run entity, ATCL is responsible for ensuring its workers are paid. He further suggested that if Assam cannot manage the tea estates effectively, selling the properties to clear workers’ dues could be an option.
The state’s counsel claimed that financial difficulties worsened after lessees returned the tea gardens, citing losses. The Court also issued a notice to the Union Ministry of Commerce after the state’s counsel argued that the central government shares responsibility in resolving the issue. This case dates back to a 2006 petition by the International Union of Food and Agricultural Workers, which resulted in a 2010 Supreme Court order to disburse Rs. 645 crore to 28,556 workers. Despite assessments from a 2020 report that Rs. 414.73 crore in dues and Rs. 230.69 crore in provident fund arrears remain, workers are still waiting for justice.