Vexed problem of Hindustan Paper Corporation mill solved

 Rs 570-crore package for mill employees

 Mill assets will remain with Government

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The vexed problem of the HPC (Hindustan Paper Corporation) mills of the state got solved on Wednesday night when all unions of the two paper mills had a meeting with Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.

The meeting finalized a relief package to clear the arrears dues of the paper mill employees and absorb 100 of them who have the required educational qualifications and have not yet crossed the age bar. Both the parties reached an understanding in this regard. The government will also absorb the doctors, nurses and other medical staff of the two mills.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "Finally, we have reached an agreement with the workers and employees of the two paper mills to resolve long-pending issues of their salaries and dues. Besides their arrears salaries, we will also pay their PF (Provident Fund) and gratuity. We will set up some other industries at the paper mill complexes."

The agreement spells out that the State Government will disburse a Rs 570-crore package to the mill employees within two months. The assets of the two mills will remain with the State Government.

The NCLT (National Company Law Tribunal) did issue an order a few months back asking the liquidator to auction the assets of the two mills to recover his dues.

Recently, the liquidator issued notices to the mill employees to vacate the quarters they have been occupying. At the same time, the State Government was weighing all options to solve the problem.

According to sources, the State Government needs two months for the disbursal of the relief package.

The two parties reached an understanding at the meeting that the paper mill employees would stay put at the HPC quarters till they get the promised package from the government in full.

Talking to The Sentinel, Kagaj Nigam Karmi Unnayan president Ananda Bordoloi said, "The central and the state governments gave us many assurances that never got translated into reality. Ninety-five penury-driven HPC mill workers died, and three committed suicide in the intervening period. We thank Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma for his sincere efforts to solve the vexed problem. We have full confidence in him. We hope to get our dues in time."

JACRU (Joint Action Committee of Recognized Union) president Manobendra Chakraborty said that the value of the assets of the two mills would be at least Rs 5,000 crore even though the reserve price for the e-auction got set a meager Rs 1,139 crore.

While production at the Cachar Paper Mill in Hailakandi district stopped on October 20, 2015, the Nagaon Paper Mill at Jagiroad in Morigaon remained shut since March 13, 2017.

Also Read: Liquidator of HPCL has no authority to issue eviction notice: JACRU

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