Heart rending agonies of paper mill employees

From Our Special Correspondent

Silchar, Aug 30: The employees and their family members of Cachar and gaon Paper Mills have been in acute distress and undergoing untold mental agonies for the last one year, following the shutdown of the Mills. In an appeal to the citizens, Kamal Chakraborty, convener, Cachar and gaon Paper Mill Employees’ Family Members, has presented a very painful picture of their mental and physical condition being almost on the verge of starvation. The salary and other dues of the employees have remained unpaid for 12 months.

 The casual workers, on the other hand, engaged in Cachar Paper Mill, are to be paid their salary for the last 14 months. In case of gaon Paper Mill, both the regular and contractual workers have been on tenterhooks without any payment for the last 10 months. The worst part of their tragedy is the disruption in the academic career of their children. Many guardians and parents have to discontinue the education of their children owing to their ibility to pay their school and college fees.

 Still tragic, the amount to be deducted from the salaries of the employees towards payment of LIC premium, provident fund, gratuity and income tax has come to a total halt. Many of the employees and the members of their family uble to bear the pangs and pains have become victims of diseases and some of them have to embrace death at a premature stage. They could not arrange the amount needed for their medical treatment. Some, according to Kamal Chakraborty, committed suicide.

 In view of the most pathetic situation, Cachar and gaon Paper Mill Employees’ Family Members have decided to submit a memorandum to the Chief Minister of Assam which will be followed by a peaceful dhar at the Last Gate of Dispur on September 4 next. The dhar will continue from 11 am and conclude at 2 pm. The citizens in general of the state have been requested to join the said dhar programme where the suffering employees will relate the present alarming status of both the Mills as well as the distressing picture of the employees, contractual workers and their families.