Assam Tea Tribes Students Association demands paid leave on Karam Puja, rejects offer to compensate holiday

Assam Tea Tribes Students Association (ATTSA) Margherita branch committee on Saturday at Dehing Tea Estate Margherita protested against the decision of the Assam government labour welfare Department regarding the matter of the Karam puja holiday.
 
Pranjal Baraik publicity secretary of the Assam Tea Tribes Student Association(ATTSA) central executive committee said that on Friday Labour Welfare Department of Assam had circulated a notification declaring a paid holiday on account of "Karam puja" on 25th September but in lieu of the said holiday the workers need to work in any other alternative garden holiday. 

Pranjal Baraik said that these types of unique holidays can only be declared by the Assam Government as this is the first time in the history of Assam that the workers need to work on any other day to get the payment for so-called paid holidays. 

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Kartik Tanti educational secretary of ATTSA Tinsukia district committee said that the labour department along with the Assam Government had a mutual understanding with the Tea garden owners and for which the Assam Government are showing sympathy for the owners.

Ranjit Kurmi executive member and Umesh Jal assistant secretary of ATTSA Tinsukia district committee demanded Assam Government immediately withdraw the notification and declare a fully paid holiday or else ATTSA would be bound to protest against the BJP-led government of Assam. 

Pranjal Baraik also stated that the Assam government had played with the cultural, traditional and sentiments of the tea Tribes people living in Assam for which the BJP-led government have to pay all these things and if the holiday is not declared fully paid wages on September 25 then ATTSA would protest against the BJP led government of Assam with the assistance from all the tea garden workers of Assam. 

Ananta Ghatowar president in charge and Nuwel Patra general secretary of ATTSA Margherita Branch committee along with many other ATTSA members were present during the protest at Dehing Tea estate Margherita.