Delhi High Court orders Centre to clear intent on revival of HPCL
STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The Delhi High Court has ordered the Government of India to file an affidavit before September 28, 2021, "clarifying the intent of the government" regarding revival of Hindustan Paper Corporation Ltd. (HPCL) which has two paper mills in Assam- Nagaon Paper Mill and Cachar Paper Mill.
The court passed this order after a hearing in the case on August 26, 2021. The government has been ordered to file an affidavit clarifying whether it would revive HPCL. The Joint Action Committee of Recognized Unions (JACRU), Nagaon and Cachar Paper Mills, Assam, has welcomed this order.
JACRU president Manobendra Chakraborty said that after the government files the affidavit on its intent regarding revival of HPCL, the people of Assam will realize whether the government intends to honour its commitment and promise to revive the Nagaon and Cachar Paper Mills. He said that the affidavit would show the reality of the repeated commitments and assurances made by the Government of India and the Government of Assam to revive the two paper mills.
Chakraborty said, " The Appellate Tribunal, National Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) had passed an order to ensure that the company remains as 'going concern'. The government was directed to infuse required funds to revive the company but the government did not pay any heed to the order of NCLAT. Since the last 56 months, the salary of the workers of the two paper mills have been withheld. This inhuman torture on the workers has resulted in regular deaths and as of now, 92 workers have died. Among them, three committed suicide under various compelling circumstances due to non-payment of salary."
He further said, "The JACRU is confident that the governments at the Centre and in the State will definitely honour their commitments and promises in the election manifesto, which will be reflected in their affidavit to be submitted before the Delhi High Court within September 28, 2021"
Chakraborty, however, reiterated that the mass movement, including legal battle with support of citizens, would continue till the paper mills of Assam were revived and all legitimate dues of workers were cleared.
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