Tea Association Welcomes 'PM Cha Shramik Protsahan Yojana' Welfare Scheme

The Tea Association of India applauds the government's implementation of the 'Pradhan Mantri Cha Shramik Protsahan Yojana' designed to benefit tea workers, particularly in Assam and West Bengal. The scheme will fund education, health, and skill development initiatives, boosting both the tea industry and rural economy.

The Tea Association of India expressed gratitude to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for implementing the 'Pradhan Mantri Cha Shramik Protsahan Yojana', aimed at the welfare of tea workers, especially women and children, in Assam and West Bengal. The scheme, initially proposed in the 2021-22 Budget Speech, will allocate Rs 1,000 crores to enhance education and health services in tea garden areas.

Scheduled to be implemented during FY 2024-25 and 2025-26, the scheme includes provisions under 'Productivity and Resilience Agriculture' to boost agricultural resilience with new climate-resistant varieties and digital public infrastructure, thereby stimulating the rural economy.

The government's focus on 'Employment and Skilling' promises significant benefits for the tea industry. Various skilling programs and schemes for skilling loans, guaranteed by government-promoted funds, and educational loans aim to create a more efficient future workforce. Increased digital and banking infrastructure in tea-growing regions is also expected, with new bank branches planned for the North Eastern region.

Additionally, the continuation of PMAY and PMGSY will benefit rural communities, including tea garden populations. The Tea Association of India appreciates the proactive government steps to enhance factors of production, such as land, labor, capital, entrepreneurship, and technology, thus improving overall efficiency and reducing inequality.