Spell out steps taken to revive Hindustan Paper Corporation mills: JACRU

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Joint Action Committee of Recognized Union (JACRU), Nagaon and Cachar Paper Mills, has demanded that the government must spell out the measures it has taken for revival of the two HPC (Hindustan Paper Corporation) Mills in the State. The Union has also asked the people of the State to cast their conscience votes in the forthcoming Assembly election in the State.

Talking to The Sentinel on Thursday, JACRU president Manobendra Chakraborty said, "Cachar Paper Mill was closed in 2015 and that of Nagaon in 2017. In the past 48 months, the employees of the two mills have been deprived of their salaries, gratuity, Provident Fund, pension and other emoluments. As many as 80 employees had to die for the want of proper treatment during this period.

"This government had assured us of reviving these two paper mills. And now it speaks of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat'. After the closure of these two paper mills, the demand of paper is met through import from China and Bangladesh. There has been development of industries in China and Bangladesh. On the contrary, the opposite is happening in the industrial scenario across Assam. Over two lakh people were directly and indirectly depending on these two paper mills. Why hasn't the Chief Minister talked to national BJP president J.P. Nadda on the revival of the two papers mills during the latter's recent visit to the State?

"The Centre informed the Parliament that an amount of Rs 4,141 crore had been spent on these two paper mills from 2014-2018. Where has the fund gone as the mills were closed during that period? The employees of the mills didn't get a single penny during that period.

"From January 25, we're going to start agitations from the Barak Valley demanding revival of the two mills, besides registering our protest against the death of our colleagues without treatment."

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