Agreement with defunct paper mill employees will be honoured, says CM Sarma in Assembly

March 16: “Out of Rs.375 crore, I shall have to make a payment of Rs.100 crore to APDCL and the rest amount will be given to the employees…. However, we will give another Rs.500 crore to the employees as grants-in-aid so that they do not suffer any loss.” This was stated by Chief Minister Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma during his reply to the Governor’s Address in Budget Session of Assam Assembly on Tuesday.

The Chief Minister further stated that the employees need to have patience. He said, “Everyday, the Industries Minister is informing about the status to the employees of the 2 defunct mills. We have also written in the agreement that by 31 March, 2022, we will finalise the matter. I stand by the agreement and exactly on 31 March, we will deposit the amount of Rs.375 crore. The mill will then come to our hands… And in April/May, we will release Rs.500 to the employees and will also give employment to 100 employees. That’s our promise and we will do it.”

My Reply to Debate!

Governor's Address in Budget Session of Assam Assembly, 2022 https://t.co/C83VvbmBkA

— Himanta Biswa Sarma (@himantabiswa) March 15, 2022

“The package is clear. It’s an important thing that a state Government like that of Assam is offering Rs.700 crore for the sake of paper mill employees and is going to solve a long standing issue. Now government of Assam will be the owner of the mills. We will not keep the land vacant and set up any of the industries over there. More livelihood will be generated and people of Assam will get employment in these new industries. We are going to solve this social problem,” added the Chief Minister.

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 62 months inspite of the assurance of the state government to give them their due. The death toll at HPC Paper Mill has now reached 101 including 4 suicides.

Manabendra Chakraborty, trade union leader of the mill said, “A Govt. of India Owned Industries has turned to Valley of Death as like as holocaust. On 28 September, 2021 an agreement of ‘Relief Package’ for rescue of workers was arrived between Government of Assam & Workers Representatives under leadership of Chief Minister, Dr Himanta Biswa Sarma. However,unfortunately, the relief package has not yet been implemented, and in dire distress the employees and embracing death one after another.”