Assam: Laid-off workers seek Himanta Biswa's intervention in reviving paper mills

GUWAHATI: Joint Action Committee of Recognised Unions (JACRU) of the Cachar and Nagaon Paper Mills of Nagaon and Cachar paper mills in Assam today sought the intervention of the state's chief minister in reviving the now-defunct mills.

Revival of the HPC paper mills of Assam shall bring a golden opportunity for the government of Assam to bring an industrial revolution in the State for ensuring economic growth and restoration of huge scope of employment.

Dashing off a letter to to the chief minister, the JACRU urged Biswa Sarma to remit the legal dues immediately to arrest any more unfortunate deaths of employees; the number of deaths -- including 4 suicides -- has now reached 87.

Citing the examples of Madhya Pradesh CM Shivraj Singh Chouhan and his Kerala counterpart Pinarayi Vijayan bailing out their own mills from sticky spots, the JACRU stated that "there is no reason that Assam shows its inability and remain undeveloped, industrially backward continuing with a crisis of source of employment."

Stating that the reserve price is "underestimated", the JACRU added that "it should not have been attempted for sale prior to exercising any efforts to ensure that the Industries which are wholly owned by the Union of India remains a going concern with the active participation of the Government of India and Assam."

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"While the NCLAT vide Order dated 29-05-2019 ordered for infusion of Funds by the Govt. of India to ensure that the company remains a going concern & while the Government of Assam vide their petition dated 10-09-2020 expressed interest to take over the Industries the Liquidator should have pursued to receive the consent of both State and Central Government prior to the announcement of Auction Notice," it added.

The JACRU in its letter further pointed out that a comprehensive revival plan has been formulated by the Prime Minister's Office and pending approval which has to be explored prior to sale of Assets to any third party.

Stating that it is "well known" to all that the Government of Assam expressed interest in taking over the HPC, the JACRU called on the CM to take over the mills ending all speculations.

The JACRU has reportedly sent documents and videos demonstrating the commitment PM Modi and Home Minister so that the issues may be addressed as per commitment "which will definitely save the lives of workers struggling for survival, to reestablish sources of employments of lakh youths in the Assam and will ensure dreams of Atmanirvar Bharat Utilizing available resources of Assam and North East."

As per a notification, the auction will be held online on mtscecommerce.com. While the reserve price has been set at Rupees 1,139 crore, the EMD amount has been set at Rupees 55 crores, and the minimum incremental bid is Rs 1 crore.

While speaking to InsideNE, Anand Bordoloi, secretary of the Joint Action Committee of Recognised Unions said, “We feel that they should have approached the government of Assam before before issuing such a notification as per the directions of the Court. In Kerala, the government was able to revive the mills. Our own government, however, has not been able to step up. The new government should have shown the initiative to look after the mills since they are properties of Assam."

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