Assam: Govt Allows Dual Caste Certificates for Tea Garden Communities

The Assam government has introduced a new provision allowing dual caste certificates for tea garden workers, tea garden tribes, ex-tea garden labourers, and ex-tea garden tribes.

As per reports, the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment issued a formal notification outlining this initiative, which, as per the department, is aimed at promoting social justice and community rights.

Under the new policy, eligible applicants from these communities can now obtain caste certificates under two categories: Other Backward Classes (OBC) or More Other Backward Classes (MOBC).

However, the existing system for issuing caste certificates will remain unchanged for the first category, ensuring continuity.

For the second category, a district-level three-member committee—comprising a community organisation representative and two social workers, all nominated by the Guardian Minister of the concerned district—will review applications.

Approved certificates will be issued by the District Commissioner or a designated office/official through the Sewa Setu Portal.

IPR Minister Pijush Hazarika, in a social media post, said, “This reflects our resolve to empower marginalised groups, ensure social justice, and protect community rights.”

It is estimated that the total population of tea tribes in Assam is around 70 lakhs, of which an estimated 45 lakhs reside in residential quarters built inside 799 tea estates spread across tea-growing regions.

Another 25 lakhs are spread across those tea-growing regions.