Send revival proposal to NCLT: HPC mill workers to Sarbananda Sonowal

GUWAHATI: The Joint Action Committee of Recognized Unions (JACRU), Nagaon and Cachar Paper Mills has sent a missive to Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal demanding submission of a formal revival proposal of the two paper mills before the NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal), Delhi branch. The Committee demanded of the Chief Minister to ensure the release of their (HPC workers) pending salaries.

JACRU president Manobendra Chakraborty demanded of the Chief Minister to submit the State government's formal revival plan of the two HPC mills to the NCLT before October 21, 2020 when their case will be heard next. It also demanded of the Chief Minister to ensure the release of all pending legitimate dues of workers, employees of the two paper mills.

The JACRU has also requested the Chief Minister to initiate necessary steps for conclusion of the hearing without further delays. The hearing was scheduled for October 7, 2020 but was rescheduled for October 21, 2020.

The employees' body also requested the Chief Minister to initiate CBI inquiry into the declared investment of Rs 4,141 crore between 2014 and 2018 in the two HPC mills that failed to pay salaries to their employees. They also demanded CBI inquiry into the Rs 100 crore as released by the government on account of PF (Provident Fund) for HPC workers as had been declared by Guwahati MP Queen Oja. The amount, however, has not been paid to the workers and the big fund remains traceless.

The employees' body has also reminded the Chief Minister that as many as 73 workers of the two HPC mills died, including three of them committing suicide due to non-payment of salaries for the past 44/46 months.