Tonganagaon tea estate adopts digital transfers for worker bonuses

Tonganagaon tea estate, a unit of the Chamong Group of Gardens in the Tinsukia district, has implemented an experimental shift from traditional cash disbursements to Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for worker bonuses.

On September 17, management credited over Rs 1.28 crore to the bank accounts of approximately 1,600 workers to pay their Durga Puja bonuses. The initiative aims to increase the security of earnings, particularly for women workers, and prevent the misuse of funds on non-essential expenditures such as gambling or alcohol.

General Manager Alok D Jakhmola noted that while previous attempts to digitize payments faced opposition, the current implementation followed sustained counseling and motivation. Currently, 15 percent of the total 20 percent bonus has been credited, with the remaining five percent scheduled for deposit before Christmas.