MP Rajdeep Roy demands revival of paper mills in Lok Sabha, urges to release pending salaries

November 28: It is now three years since the HPC mills at Panchgram and Jagiroad are closed. The employees have not got their salaries since the last two and a half years. Around 56 employees have died due to lack of treatment and many among them even committed suicide being unable to run the family. Parents are unable to give the fees of their children in schools and colleges. Boys and girls of the employees have stopped studying. These were the words uttered by Silchar MP Dr. Rajdeep Roy in Lok Sabha on Thursday.

Speaking during the Matters of Urgent Public Importance,  Dr. Rajdeep Roy asked the Ministry of Heavy Industry and the PMO to take necessary steps regarding revival of HPC of Panchgram and Jagiroad. He has also requested the government to release the outstanding salaries for two years so that the workers of the mills can meet their basic needs. He said that around 25,000 employees of the 2 mills are surviving from hand to mouth.

He lamented that the erstwhile Minister of Heavy Industries promised to a high level delegation of Assam that he would visit the two mills in Assam and take appropriate measures for their revival. But nothing happened in reality. As such, on Thursday, he again urged upon the present Minister of the concerned department to take immediate steps for the revival.

Dr. Roy said that the matter has gone to the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) and from the last few days some disturbing news about the fate of the two mills have added to the woes of its employees.