The Assam Government now finally has the ownership over the Paper Mills of Assam. The decision has been taken by the cabinet unanimously and has also decided to release the salaries and other paychecks to all their Paper Mill employees in the two districts of Cachar and Nagaon.
Initiatives taken by the Assam Government
The Government of Assam has finally decided to aquire the Paper Mills that has been closed for a over a prolonged period now. Several relief measures are taken including monetary funds to reach all the working individuals of the mill at the earliest. The long discussion took place at the chief minister’s office , following which an agreement was signed.
Another Paper mill at Cachar, has been in a state of non operational since 2015. these two mills in the distrcits of nagaon and cachar has led to many deaths of the employees, some of them even commiting suicide. the cause of death is mainly due to the lack of resorces provided to them in terms of treatments, salaries and other facilities. many has not received their paychecks for over 50 months.
Hemanta Biswa Sarma and the Industries Minister signed the agreement, thus making way for the welfare of the employees.
The government has also inititated plans of giving out relief packages , providing minimun support, and other necessities within a peiod of two months as approved by NCLT. over a hundred officials and other workers to get opportunities in the relevant field as per their qualification and equal pay will be given to all. the whole process of recrutiment will be conducted through a drive, having no age bar. they will get almost all the benefits as promised. some of the other initiations include, facilitation to the employees who were not able to finish their term due to the sudden closer of the mill. these people will get an opportunity for any opening on a basis of priority.
The agreement that was signed by both parties agreed to consider the PF Contribution, salaries, pension, and any other remaining dues from the day the payment hasnt been made till the date of commencement. Along with these, the Assam Government will also ensure a relief to the workers in the contractual field. this relief will ensure that the workers benefit from minimum subsistence, and repayment of loans will no longer be deducted from their salary. in addition, if an employee is of 55 and above they would be given extra commission in their pension. Regular government employees at the mill like providing doctors, techers and others will also be provided with beneficiaries.
According the tweet of our Honourable Chief Minister, long term pending matters over the issues of wages and the dues of the employees will now be resolved.
On a recent press release , addressed by our Honourable Minister Pijush Hazarika , the Paper Mills were said to be in the NCLT Category. Further, the Government has been able to manage to the get the mill for more than 300 crores. according to the statement issued by the minister, it has also given his assurance to work in terms of the development and growth of the industry by establishing various offices for employment generation.
this is indeed a long term plan that has been put forward by the Assam Government for the welfare of its people in the state. the demand was also in place for over a long period of time by the employees of the Hindustan Paper Contsruction (HPC Nagaon). the employees have also demonstrated several protest in opposition and have demanded their paychecks which has been overdued by a total of more than Rs 500 crores.
