7 days to go for hearing of HPC mills at NCLT; Debabrata Saikia urges govt to save the paper mills

Sept. 6: Just after 7 days, the hearing on the fate of the two paper mills of Assam (Nagaon & Panchgram) will take place at National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT). 14 September, 2020 is the date slated for the hearing. It is in this connection that Debabrata Saikia, leader of the opposition in Assam Legislative Assembly wrote to Sarbananda Sonowal, Chief Minister of Assam urging him to hold discussions with the Centre and arrive at a consensus regarding revival of the two paper mills on PPP basis, so that a formal proposal may be submitted to the NCLT before 14th September.

During the recently concluded session of the Assam Legislative Assembly, Saikia and his party colleagues raised the issue of reviving the Nagaon and Cachar paper mills. However, the response of the Minister of Industries & Commerce, Chandra Mohan Patowary, left a lot to be desired. He further stated in his letter, “The Government of Kerela has already pledged to bail out the sick HPC unit in that state. Similarly, the Government of Telangana has offered several concessions and incentives for revival of a sick private paper mill owned by JK Paper Limited.” Citing this example, the leader of the opposition urged upon the Chief Minister to walk on the same path as that of Kerela and Telengana.

Debabrata Saikia further wrote, “In case the Government cannot decide at this moment as to whether it can provide incentives along the lines of the Government of Telangana, then I urge you kindly to at least send a letter to the NCLT before 14th September, requesting that any decision on liquidation should be deferred for some time as, in accordance with your commitment, the Government of Assam is interested in reviving the two paper mills and is trying to help some local entrepreneurs who are keen to invest funds for this purpose.”

Expressing his views, Manabendra Chakraborty, President of Cachar & Nagaon Paper Mills Joint Action Committee said, “Only 7 more days are left before the hearing of the paper mills at NCLT. But till now we do not have any information about the steps adopted by Assam govt to save the mills. We are indebted to the leader of opposition for appealing to the Chief Minister for reviving the mills.”

He further said, “The closure of the two paper mills of Assam has forced our country to buy paper at enhanced rates from China at a time when the Hon’ble Prime Minister is talking about ‘self-reliant India’. Moreover, the closure of the paper mills has deprived around two lakh people, including bamboo suppliers, of direct and indirect employment. Around 70 employees of these paper mills have died so far as a result of poverty, depression and lack of proper treatment. Three among them committed suicide. The time is ripe for reviving the paper mills and, thereby, ensuring restoration of employment avenues and availability of good quality paper at comparatively cheap rates.” Mr. Chakraborty expressed confidence that the state govt will keep its promise and save the two paper mills of Nagaon and Panchgram.