Guwahati, Jan. 6: Dispur will hold a jhumur dance competition for the first time in 30 tea community-dominated sub-divisions on January 21.

Tea tribes, labour and employment minister Pallab Lochan Das, while stressing on a systematic study and publicity of the dance form, said, "Among these sub-divisions along with other forms of song, dance and music, a competitions on jhumur will be organised on January 21. Subsequently, the state government will organise jhumur song and dance competitions on an all-Assam basis."

Das was speaking after inaugurating a four-day workshop on jhumur song and dance here yesterday.

The tea tribes welfare department in association with the Asom Chah Janagosti Jatiya Mahasabha and Chah Janagosti Sanskritik Upodesta Parishad is organising the workshop.

The minister said the state government would provide all possible support for the overall development of the tea tribes.

A huge section of the community had supported the BJP and its allies in the Assembly elections. Since coming to power, the BJP-led government has announced a slew of measures for the welfare of the community, which includes bringing them under the banking system and upgrading healthcare facilities in the gardens.

Assam has over 800 tea estates and the tea community population is around 70 lakh.