Row over Rs 100 Crore: HPC employees dare MP Queen Oja to clarify

GUWAHATI: The JACRU (Joint Action Committee of Recognized Unions) of Nagaon and Cachar Paper Mills has dared Guwahati MP Queen Oja (BJP) to clarify as to when Rs 100 crore, as mentioned by her, was paid towards the release of HPC employees' Provident Fund by the government.

It has also requested the MP to clarify as to where that amount of Rs 100 crore has gone. It has requested the MP to initiate a CBI inquiry to find out the money so that the amount can be remitted for the target beneficiaries.

Earlier, the BJP MP welcomed the State government for requesting HPCL liquidator to delay the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) hearing for a month in the interest of revival of the two mills. "This is a strong step from the State Government, and it has proved the State government's accountability... With a view to reviving the two paper mills that were ailing from the Congress regime's time, the government doled out funds – Rs 33 crore as advance amount for the supply of paper to the government. The government also made an attempt to give a succour to the employees of the two mills by extending Rs 100 crore for the release of their PF money."

Taking the bull by the horn, JACRU president Manabendra Chakraborty sent a mail to MP Queen Oja on Sunday. The mail reads, "Kindly refer your press release... You have mentioned that the Government has also released Rs 100 crore towards Provident Fund dues of the workers and employees of Nagaon & Cachar Paper Mills.

"…In this context we bring to your kind notice that from February 2015 onwards, Provident Fund subscriptions though deducted from the salary of workers/ employees the same has not been remitted to the PF accounts of the workers/ employees, which is a serious criminal offence on the part of authorities under administrative control of concerned government. PF money is hard-earned money of working class for social security and termed as statutory dues. However, to our best believe and faith, the Government has not paid Rs 100 crore till date as mentioned by you. If it is drawn from the public exchequer, the same should have been remitted but nothing has been received on this head; it might have been misutilized in the name of workers' PF dues as no remittance from the Government has been initiated till date towards the unpaid PF of workers and employees."

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