Package for paper mill staffers' dues ready: CM Himanta Biswa Sarma

* 'Old and rickety machines leave no scope for revival'

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma made it amply clear that there is no scope for the revival of the two defunct Hindustan Paper Corporation (HPC) mills in Assam. He also said that the State Government can clear the employees' dues within ten days if they (employees) are ready to take their dues.

Addressing a press conference in New Delhi on Tuesday, the Chief Minister said, "The old and rickety machines of the two paper mills leave no scope for their revival. The employees' association had talks with us. We told them that we have a Rs 630-crore package for the payment of their dues. If they are ready to take their dues, we can pay them within ten days.

"The problem is that there is a dispute between employees' and officers' associations on the share of the package.

"We want to close the chapter of HPC mills once and for all, after paying their dues. We will decide later what we should do with the lands of the two mills – growing new industries there or anything else."

The Chief Minister also met Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Assam's boundary disputes with its neighbouring states. He said, "Shah favours amicable solutions to the border rows. To settle the Assam-Meghalaya boundary disputes, we have identified four points – the willingness of the local people of the disputed areas, histories of both the states, constitutional boundaries and administrative convenience for the local people."

On the Assam-Mizoram boundary disputes, Sarma said, "We need time to bring back peace on the inter-state border stretches. To solve the disputes amicably, we have started talks. We hope to settle the disputes amicably with the intervention of the Centre."

Sarma further said that he had talks with Petroleum Minister Hardeep Singh Puri on Assam-related issues in OIL (Oil India Ltd) and ONGC (Oil and Natural Gas Corporation) Ltd. "Talks on these issues will continue," he said, and added, "I also had talks with the Prime Minister on the expansion of Namrup Fertilizer Ltd. The PM laid stress on the production of nano urea (liquid form)."

On the ongoing drive against drugs, Sarma said, "The state police seized drugs worth Rs 183 crore since my taking charge as the Chief Minister. The police forces of Manipur and Nagaland also have a role in the seizure of drugs. They shared intelligence inputs with the Assam Police in this regard. We have arrested most of the drug lords. Our thrust is now on tracking and arresting backwards and forward links of the drug smuggling chain."

Sarma said that peace is back in the Bodoland. "A few NLFB (National Liberation Front of Bodoland) members surrendered a few days back. A 22-member group joined the mainstream today," he said.

The Chief Minister said that sending the names of some Gorkhas to the FTs (Foreigners Tribunals) was a mistake. "The FTs are meant for illegal immigrants from Bangladesh and East Pakistan. However, for Gorkhas, there is the Indo-Nepal agreement. India absorbs Gorkhas in her army as well," Sarma said.

The Chief Minister said that the Covid situation is improving in Assam. "From August 16, shops and other business establishments will operate up to 6 pm. We will also allow inter-district movement with some restrictions," he said.

The Chief Minister was to meet all MPs from Assam irrespective of their party affiliations on issues of the state.

IANS adds: Sarma said, "We cannot fight with the bordering states for small villages. We do not want anybody to leave their land, as Assam has no claim over any land. Assam did not ask for any land. It is not a question of them leaving the land because we have never in our history asked for any land from our bordering states."

Talking about Assam's population control policy, Sarma said, "This is the need of the hour and you cannot do it by force. You need to have both incentives and disincentives. Assam's policy is based on both incentives and disincentives. We give incentives for small families and also provide disincentives for bigger families. If somebody goes through Assam's population policy, I think some of the provisions can be followed nationally."

Also Read: Fast-Track Execution of 35-km Elevated Kaziranga Corridor On The Cards: Assam CM Himanta Biswa

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