GUWAHATI, April 2 ? The Assam Legislative Assembly today unanimously passed a resolution demanding that the big tea companies, having gardens in Assam, should shift their headquarters to the State. The resolution was moved by Asom Gana Parishad (AGP) legislators Sri Jagadish Bhuyan, Sri Dilip Kumar Saikia, Sri Gunin Hazarika and Sri Hitendra Nath Goswami and independent legislator Sri Pabindra Deka. The resolution received the support of all the parties including the ruling Congress. The House also resolved that the Central Government should take necessary steps in this regard.
Moving the resolution, Sri Jagadish Bhuyan said that the tea companies having gardens in Assam must shift their headquarters to the State immediately and the local youths should get preference in appointments. Sri Pabindra Deka said that the demand for shifting of the headquarters of the tea companies was raised by the All Assam Students? Union (AASU) way back in 1974, but unfortunately, the Central Government is not bothered about the demand. He expressed the view that the headquarters of the oil companies should also be shifted to the State. Sri Sarbananda Sonowal (AGP) pointed out that a number of unemployed youths would get direct or indirect benefits if the headquarters of the tea companies are shifted to Assam. He pointed out that the tea companies procure 256 items, of which, Rs 32 crore is spent every year on purchasing tea bags. He said that at present most of these items including footwear are procured in Kolkata. He also said that at present there is no dearth of infrastructure in Assam to prevent shifting of the headquarters of the tea companies to the State.
Sri Ripun Bora (Cong) supported the demand and said that all the parties should launch a joint democratic movement, if necessary, to ensure shifting of the headquarters of the tea companies to the State. He alleged that the big tea companies are still exploiting the labourers and all the required items including medicine, aprons, umbrella, blanket etc are purchased in Kolkata. He pointed out that the Congress had raised the demand in its election manifesto. Sri Dilip Kumar Saikia (AGP) said that no political party should bow down to the pressure put by the ?powerful tea lobby?. He expressed the view that the members of Parliament of the north eastern States should also be involved to put pressure on the Central Government in this regard.
Sri Zoii Nath Sarma (AGP) pointed out that as the tea companies procure all the required materials at Kolkata, the West Bengal Government is getting the sales tax. He said that a meeting of the Chairmen and Managing Directors of the tea companies should be convened immediately to discuss the issue. Sri Karendra Basumatary (BDLP) and Sri Parimal Suklabaidya also extended support to the resolution.
In reply to the discussion, the Minister of State for Industries, Sri Pradyut Bordoloi said that the ruling party was not opposed to the demand. ?The State Government has assured all assistance to the tea community but at the same time, we made it clear that we would never compromise on the interest of the State,? he added. Sri Bordoloi said that on April 3, 1989, the then Chief Minister Prafulla Kumar Mahanta wrote a letter to the Union Commerce Minister demanding that the head offices of the tea companies should be shifted to Assam. The Union Commerce Minister wrote back on May 11, 1989 claiming that the demand was not feasible, following which, Sri Mahanta wrote another letter to the Prime Minister in this regard on August 18, 1989. Again on May 17, 1994, the then Chief Minister Hiteswar Saikia wrote to the Union Commerce Minister demanding that the head offices of the tea companies and the head office of the Tea Board should be shifted to Assam.
The Minister said that immediately after assuming office, the Chief Minister Sri Tarun Gogoi had a detailed discussion with the Consultative Committee of Planters? Associations and this issue was also raised in the meeting. ?But the question is whether the Government can force private companies to shift the head offices,? he wondered. The House later unanimously passed the resolution demanding shifting of the headquarters of the tea companies to Assam.