Demand for ST Status for Tea Tribes

Demand for ST Status for Tea Tribes

Sub :Geo

Sec: Human geo

Why in News

Jharkhand Chief Minister has raised the long-pending demand for Scheduled Tribe (ST) status for Assam’s “tea tribes.”

Tea Tribes of Assam:

The tea garden workers, now known as the “tea tribes” or “ex-tea garden tribes,” were originally brought to Assam by British colonialists during the mid-19th century. These workers were primarily from regions such as Odisha, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Andhra Pradesh, and West Bengal, and they were employed as indentured labourers in Assam’s tea plantations. Over time, many of them permanently settled in Assam, forming a distinct community.

The tea tribes are officially recognized as Other Backward Classes (OBC) by the Government of India. Despite their significant contributions to Assam’s economy—particularly in the tea industry, where they contribute to over 53% of India’s total tea production—the community faces considerable socio-economic challenges.

Demand for ST Status: Due to their socio-economic disadvantages and historical roots, the tea tribes have been demanding Scheduled Tribe (ST) status in Assam. Gaining this status would provide them with additional political, economic, and social benefits, including reservations in education, employment, and political representation.

Some of the prominent tea tribes in Assam include:Santhal, Munda, Oraon, KurukhGond and Kharia.

Constitutional Provisions for ST Status

Article 341 (1): Empowers the President to specify which castes, races, or tribes in each state or union territory shall be classified as Scheduled Castes (SCs).

Article 341 (2): Any subsequent inclusion or exclusion from the SC list can be done by Parliament through a law.

Article 342 (1): The President, after consultation with the Governor of the respective state, specifies tribes or tribal communities to be classified as Scheduled Tribes (STs).

Criteria for ST Classification: Tribes are identified based on factors such as geographical isolation, distinctive culture, backwardness, and socio-economic deprivation.

The tea tribes of Assam, descendants of labourers brought during the British era, are classified as OBCs and           have been demanding ST status for years.

The Scheduled Tribes Amendment Bill (2019) was introduced in the Rajya Sabha to grant ST status, but it has yet to be passed.

Assam Tea Gardens:

Assam tea is renowned for its robust, malty flavor and deep color. It is one of the finest black teas globally and is widely consumed both as single-estate tea and in blends like English Breakfast Tea​.

Location: Assam is situated along the Brahmaputra River, with tea gardens mostly on its fertile plains.

Climate: The region’s tropical climate, characterized by heavy rainfall and humidity, creates ideal conditions for tea cultivation​

Historical Background: The British established tea production in Assam in the 19th century, making it the first large-scale tea cultivation area outside of China​.

Production:Assam is one of the largest tea-producing regions in the world, contributing significantly to India’s tea exports.

Special Time Zone: Assam’s tea gardens operate in a separate time zone, “Tea Garden Time” (an hour ahead of Indian Standard Time), to optimize daylight usage​.

About Tea:

Tea is a tropical and sub-tropical plant and grows well in moderatelyhot and humid climates.

The ideal temperature for its growth is 20°-30°C and temperatures above 35°C and below 10°C are harmful for the bush.

It requires 150-300 cm annual rainfall which should be well distributed throughout the year.

The most suitable soil for tea cultivation is slightly acidic soil (without calcium) with porous sub-soil which permits a free percolation of water.

The major tea-producing states in India are: Assam, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Sikkim, Nagaland, Uttarakhand, Manipur, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Bihar, Orissa.