Assam has made two major reforms in the direction of giving land ownership rights to tea garden workers and providing Scheduled Tribe (ST) status to six communities. These decisions bring forward demands pending for decades and could change the socio-economic structure of the state.
Guwahati. This week has proved to be very special for lakhs of tea garden workers living in Assam. His long standing demand has finally been fulfilled. After changes in the Assam Fixation of Ceiling of Land Holding (Amendment) Bill, 2025, these workers will now get the ownership rights of the land. This change is not just a right, but is considered to be the end of a great injustice that has been going on for more than two hundred years. With this historic decision, another big step has been taken – to put forward the demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for six major communities. The question now is whether these communities will be able to join the ST list soon?
Is the wait of two centuries over now?
Lakhs of tea workers will now be able to become land owners. BJP MLA Mrinal Saikia described this bill passed in the Assembly as very emotional. He said that this is not just a paper decision, but a new hope for the families who were left without their land after working in the plantations for generations.
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Tea workers will get many benefits by getting land-
- right to build one’s own house
- Permanent Residence Certificate (PRC)
- bank loan
- Direct access to government schemes
This change will prove to be a major turning point for the tea tribe community economically and socially.
Will six big communities now get ST status?
The Assam Cabinet has approved the report granting ST status to Ahom, Moran, Matak, Chutia, Koch-Rajbongshi and Chai tribes. The government will now present this report in the Assembly and then send it to the Central Government.
If this proposal is passed in Parliament, the major benefits to these communities will be-
- reservation in government jobs
- Seats in Educational Institutions
- relaxation in age limit
- Scholarships and special welfare schemes
- Relief in competitive exams
- This decision will have a big impact on the social structure of Assam.
Will existing ST communities be harmed?
AIUDF MLA Rafiqul Islam said that the demand for ST status has been going on for a long time and the six communities are also entitled to it. But he clearly said that the concerns of the existing ST communities should also be fully heard. He said, “The six new communities should get ST status, but there should be complete protection of the rights of the old ST groups. This should not become a political issue, it should benefit both the parties.” It is clear from this statement that the decision to grant ST status is not easy and there are many social aspects associated with it.
Will ST bill be passed in Parliament soon?
Political indications suggest that both the government and the opposition are moving towards a consensus on this issue. But the final decision will be taken in Parliament. The coming months will decide when these changes will be implemented at the ground level.
Is this reform a big turning point in Assam politics?
Land rights for tea workers and the process of granting ST status to six communities – both decisions can give a new direction to the politics, society and economy of Assam. These steps appear to be moving towards fulfilling the demands pending for decades.
How did the tea garden workers get ownership of the land?
The historic demand of tea workers was fulfilled after the Assam Fixation of Ceiling of Land Holding (Amendment) Bill, 2025.
Two centuries of landless life: Why is this decision important?
Tea tribes got access to houses, PRC, bank loans and government schemes.
Which six communities will get ST status? Assam cabinet approved the report
Ahom, Moran, Matak, Chutia, Koch-Rajbongshi and Tea tribes close to joining ST list.
Political consensus: How did the government and the opposition come together on one platform?
All parties including AIUDF, BJP termed the reform as ‘historic’, but concerns of existing ST communities continue.
When will the ST status proposal come in Parliament?
The bill will be sent to the Center after the Assam Assembly; How easy is the path to approval?
What will be the socio-economic change?
Getting ST status will provide major concessions in education, jobs and skill development.
What next? Timeline of reforms and potential challenges
Processes at the state and central levels will decide when the changes will come into effect.