Assam tea gardens asked to make e-payments to workers

The Assam government has directed all tea garden managements to take steps for opening bank accounts of its workers by December 5, and make them e-payments.
The service area bank, which had earlier opened accounts under Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana, would arrange a camp in the tea garden premises to facilitate opening accounts by those who are figured in the list of workers submitted by the tea garden managements, Industry Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said today.
Each tea garden management has been asked to prepare a list of employees who do not have bank accounts and submit the same to the service area banks, he said.

The process should be completed by December 5 so that the wages for the week starting from that day will be paid digitally by December 10.
The tea garden managements have also been asked to provide space for installation of ATM in their premises, wherever it is feasible, Patowary said.
The tea garden workers are usually paid periodical wages, weekly or fortnightly, in cash.
In addition, there are about 15 lakh workers more in unorganised or small tea gardens who are also receiving wages in cash only.
Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal had recently held a series of meetings in this regard with all stakeholders to ensure hundred per cent digital payments in the tea gardens.