A tale of apathy! Paper Mill workers hold protest demonstration at Panchgram

Jan. 9: The fate of the two defunct HPC paper mills of Assam (Nagaon & Panchgram) still remains drowned in deep water. 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.

It needs mention here that the Industry and Commerce department of government of Assam on 10 September, 2020 wrote to Kuldeep Verma, Liquidator of HPCL seeking one month time for revival of the defunct HPC paper mills as the “state government is making sincere efforts and pursuing the matter with the central government for revival of the closed mills and clearance of all dues of employees and workers”.

However, surprisingly, since then 4 months have elapsed, but till now there has been no development in the matter as the state government is yet to prepare any revival plans, quipped a leader of the Paper Mills Employees Union. Expressing his views, Dipak Nath on behalf of the employees said, “We humbly request the Assam government to submit the revival plans of the two mills and also clear our long pending dues. We hope that the government will live up to its commitment and our Chief Minister will play a pivotal role in consultation with the centre and thereby infuse life in the now defunct paper mills.”

Meanwhile, being deprived of salary since last 48 months, employees of the two HPC Paper Mills are embracing death one after another. Manabendra Chakraborty, trade union leader of the mill said, “These are not general deaths. The deceased have 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 79 including 3 suicides.