In a tweet on October 13, 2026, Himanta Biswa Sarma revealed a 20 percent uplift in wages for the state’s tea garden workforce.
The move covers roughly 1 million labourers spread across 800+ plantations, a share of Assam’s 55 % national tea output. Daily earnings average ₹280 in the Brahmaputra Valley and ₹258 in the Barak Valley, making the bonus a significant lift.
"On Navratri, a gift of joy for our tea community," the CM said, underscoring the festive spirit the payout aims to kindle.
The decision was ratified last month at Lok Sewa Bhawan in Guwahati, where the cabinet also designated 17 October as an official Durga Puja holiday, adding to the already notified four days.
Workers in the Brahmaputra Valley say the extra cash will ease holiday expenses, with one labourer noting, "We can finally buy sweets for our families without cutting other essentials."
Estate managers will disburse the funds during the first week of October, aligning the payout with the festival’s onset and ensuring families can celebrate together.