77th employee of paper mill dies without salary since last 48 months

Dec. 20: The word ‘death’ is sending a chill of horror in the corridors of the now defunct Nagaon and Panchgram Paper Mills. On one hand, when the procession of deaths due to COVID-19 is going on unabated, on the other, being deprived of salary since last 45 months, employees of the two HPC Paper Mills are embracing death one after another.

The deceased employee Nirod Chandra Kalita, 56 was suffering from Hepatitis but failed to afford desired treatment due to non-payment of Salary since last 48 months. He ultimately died on 19 December. “Without money, we were unable to afford good treatment of Nirod Chandra Kalita, who ultimately breathed his last due to the apathy of the government,” said one of his relative.

Manabendra Chakraborty, trade union leader of the mill said, “These are not general deaths. Nirod Chandra Kalita joined the long procession of deaths of our employees without getting any proper treatment. How can you afford treatment when you are not paid your salaries since last 48 months? How many deaths will wake up the govt from their deep slumber?” With this, the death toll at HPC Paper Mill has now gone upto 77 including 3 suicides.

Cachar Paper Mill and Nagaon Paper Mill run by Hindustan Paper Corporation Limited (HPCL) have been non-functional since 20 October 2015 and 13 March 2017 respectively. The employees of the two mills have not received salaries for the past 48 and 46 months respectively.