Guwahati, January 30: Union Home Minister Amit Shah has announced that the EU-India free trade agreement will enable Assam tea shipments to reach European countries with zero tariff, boosting the state’s tea exports. Addressing a public rally in Dibrugarh, Shah praised tea garden workers for establishing Assam’s reputation as a leading tea exporter, saying their hard work has made the state’s tea renowned globally.

Shah highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s efforts to promote Assam tea in European markets like Paris and Berlin, and criticized Congress for neglecting tea workers’ welfare despite their contribution to the state’s economy. He also noted that the chief minister has amended laws to grant land ownership rights to tea garden workers.

The announcement comes ahead of the upcoming assembly elections, as tea garden workers are a significant voting bloc in upper Assam. The BJP has been gaining traction among this community since 2014, traditionally a Congress stronghold.