Assam Congress forms committee to look into the grievances of protesting paper mill employees

GUWAHATI:

Extending its support to the protesting employees of Nagaon and Cachar Paper Mills and protect their interest, the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) constituted an Employees Redressal Committee to look into the matter of Hindustan Paper Corporation Limited (HPCL) on Sunday.

The Committee under the chairmanship of MP Pradyut Bordoloi, also visited Jagiroad and interacted with employees of the Nagaon Paper Mill, and took note of their various longstanding problems. Highlighting the government’s failure in reviving the paper industry, Bordoloi also took stock of the circumstances under which around 98 employees lost their lives over non-payment of salaries since last 58 months.

The committee, after deliberating with party members on the various issues crippling the industry, assured the employees to stand by and protect their interests.

The APPC, over a statement, termed the issuance of the eviction notice by liquidator Kuldeep Varma asking the employees to vacate their residential quarters within 15 days as ridiculous and devoid of compassionate reasoning. The party also requested the Assam Government to come up with special packages for the employees by meeting all the past commitments to revive the closed mills of Assam, including payment of all pending dues of the employees.

The APCC also alleged that the government is planning to liquidate the Hindustan Paper Corporation Limited because it wants to give access to the state’s bamboo, the material required to produce paper, to private players for the production of ethanol which has high demand and value.

(Edited by Shankar Kumar Turha)

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