The Assam Cabinet, meeting at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Dispur, Guwahati, has approved a major relaxation and rationalisation of land settlement premiums for tea garden workers residing in labour lines within municipal and peripheral town areas across the state.
The decision was taken under Section 17-A of the Assam Fixation of Ceiling on Land Holdings Act, 1956 (as amended) and is aimed at reducing the financial burden faced by tea garden communities while securing land rights.
The Assam Cabinet meeting in Guwahati approved the relaxation of land settlement premiums for tea garden workers living in labour lines within municipal and peripheral town areas. The move, taken under the Assam Fixation of Ceiling on Land Holdings Act, is expected to ease financial pressure and improve land security for tea communities.
Decision Taken in Guwahati
Officials said the policy was cleared after detailed deliberations at Dispur, the state’s administrative centre in Guwahati. The rationalisation will make land settlement more affordable for tea garden workers who have lived for decades in labour lines but struggled to formalise ownership due to high premiums.
The revised premiums are expected to vary based on location, with special consideration for areas falling within municipal limits and town peripheries, where rates were previously higher.
Why This Matters for Guwahati
Guwahati hosts a significant population of tea garden workers and their families in its peripheral and expanding urban zones, particularly in areas transitioning from garden land to municipal jurisdiction. Civic observers say the decision will:
- Improve housing security for tea communities around Guwahati
- Reduce informal settlements and disputes over land
- Support planned urban expansion
The policy is also expected to ease pressure on Guwahati’s urban administration by bringing long-inhabited labour lines into the formal land records system.
Part of Wider Cabinet Reforms
The relaxation of settlement premiums is part of a broader package of social inclusion and land reform measures approved by the Assam Cabinet in Guwahati, alongside decisions related to:
- Employment access
- Indigenous land rights
- Rural and urban infrastructure development
Officials said the government aims to balance urban growth with social justice for historically marginalised communities.
What Happens Next
The Revenue and Disaster Management Department will issue detailed guidelines on revised premiums and eligibility criteria. District administrations, including those around Guwahati, will then begin implementing the new rates and processing land settlement applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
Tea garden workers live in labour lines within municipal and peripheral town areas of Assam.
The decision was approved by the Assam Cabinet at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Guwahati.
