Guwahati, Feb. 13: More than 25 per cent tea gardens in Assam have not cleared provident funds of their workers amounting to about Rs 100 crore.

Gratuity in 119 gardens are pending, the state government told the Assembly today.

Replying to questions by Dhekiajuli legislator Ashok Singhal during the ongoing budget session today, labour and employment minister Pallab Lochan Das said many workers in the gardens were not claiming their gratuity after five years of their service because of lack of awareness.

The garden owners were taking advantage of the situation, he added.

"Once the claim is made, gratuity of an eligible worker has to be cleared within a month. If the claims are not cleared within the period, the case is referred to Bakijai branch in the deputy commissioner's office and it is the responsibility of the deputy commissioner to recover the same. Similarly, the cases related to provident funds are referred to Assam Tea Employees Provident Fund Organisation. The government has taken stern measures against gardens failing to clear provident funds, including attachment of properties," Das said.

The minister said the government would constitute committees in each garden comprising labour union members and others to assist workers to claim their provident fund and gratuity.

There are more than 800 tea gardens in the state of which 227 have not cleared provident funds to the workers. Assam contributes nearly 60 per cent of the country's total tea production but poor condition of the workers has been a concern for both the government as well as others.

On a question if the state government was planning to cancel land lease of tea gardens for not implementing the provisions of the Plantation Labour Act 1951, Das said the act had no such penal provision.

Adivasis protests

The All Adivasi Students' Association of Assam staged a demonstration today at Dispur Last Gate demanding hike in the daily wages of tea workers to Rs 330 and fulfil its demand for ST status to tea garden community in the state.

The state government has fixed Rs 177 as daily wage.

The protesters, led by its president Stephen Lakra and general secretary Deben Orang, submitted a memorandum to chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal on their demands.