Guwahati | The Assam Cabinet on Thursday approved a package of measures ahead of Durga Puja, including a one-time increase in financial assistance for Orunodoi beneficiaries, a 20 per cent bonus for Assam Tea Corporation Limited (ATCL) workers and an additional public holiday during the festive period.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, briefing reporters after the Cabinet meeting, said beneficiaries under the Orunodoi scheme would receive ?1,500 in October as a special Puja-month payment.

Sarma said the enhanced amount was a one-time measure for October and was announced keeping Durga Puja in mind. He also indicated that a similar special assistance could be considered around Bihu next year.

The Cabinet also approved a 20 per cent bonus for workers of ATCL tea gardens ahead of the festival.According to Sarma, 548 of Assam’s 807 tea gardens had already announced a 20 per cent bonus for workers, while discussions were continuing in the remaining 259 gardens.

“Today, ATCL has also announced a 20% bonus. Discussions are still underway in the remaining 259 gardens, and I believe they will also announce the 20% bonus,” the Chief Minister said. The bonus issue has also led to protests at Harmutty Tea Garden in Lakhimpur district, where workers have been demanding a 20 per cent bonus from the management of Goodricke Group Limited.

Hundreds of workers demonstrated at the tea garden on Thursday, alleging that the management had sanctioned a 15 per cent bonus.A protesting worker said employees were seeking the higher bonus citing an improvement in the garden’s financial position.

Meanwhile, the Cabinet decided to declare October 17 an additional public holiday during the Durga Puja period.

Sarma said the existing Puja holiday schedule already included Sundays, prompting the government to add October 17 as an extra holiday. The decision is expected to provide an additional day off during the festive period as Assam prepares for Durga Puja celebrations.