“Paper Mills in Cachar and Nagaon will be fully revived soon”: Anant Geete, Minister of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises

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The Hindustan Paper Corporation factories in Panchgram and Jagi Road will be fully revived very soon. This is what Minister of Heavy Industries & Public Enterprises, Government of India Anant Geete said while addressing a press conference in Delhi.

He also mentioned that the management and the operations will be fully privatised, however when asked about the pending salaries, the minister replied, “We will consider that.” Barak Bulletin got in touch with the minister and he said, “Yes the news of revival is true.” He refused to give a timeline and choose to disconnect the call.

The state government had presented an estimate of Rs 1800 to the Central Government for the revival of the two defunct Paper Mills. The estimate included pending dues of employees, repairing of equipment. Following State Government’s submission of the current status report the Centre decided to involve a ‘third party’ to execute the revival process. The Centre had in fact called for an expression of Interest from the parties willing to take up the management of the two defunct Paper Mills, while the government will continue to retain the ownership.

The Paper Mill workers did not receive their salaries since 18 months and are protesting for clearance of their dues and revival of the two mills. Today’s press conference comes as an encouragement for the Mill employees but there is no clear deadline yet.