HPC MILLS' CRISIS
STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The Joint Action Committee of Recognised Unions (JACRU) Cachar and Nagaon Paper Mills, Assam has expressed their gratitude to the Congress party for declaring to revive both the mills in their election manifesto.
In a letter written to Congress leader Rahul Gandhi, the JACRU stated, "In this critical juncture, the Congress which is struggling since long to revive the industries took the issue seriously and included the revival of paper industries as guarantee in their election manifesto. We therefore, convey our heartiest gratitude to you and Congress for the sincere efforts and assure our best cooperation and support for rebuilding Assam which has been destroyed by the Central and State governments."
The JACRU alleged that both the paper mills were forcefully made non-functional by the BJP-led government.
"By withholding salaries of the employees for last 51 months, the government created unbearable compelling circumstances. It led to the untimely death of 83 workers out of which four committed suicide due to starvation and non-availability of medical treatment. It is a matter of grave indignation that Prime Minister Narendra Modi promotes Atmanirbhar Bharat, but in contrary India is procuring papers from China, Indonesia, and Bangladesh at highest prices. It is draining forex reserve to meet domestic requirement and destroying Indian economy and employments of the youths to protect the interest of foreign countries," stated the JACRU in their letter.
The body also alleged that the BJP has siphoned off Rs 4141 crore (between 2014-18) on the plea of revival of the HPC paper mills. Additionally, an amount of Rs 107 crore from the workers' provident fund has been misappropriated which was deducted from salaries, the JACRU added.