The inclusion of Government of India as a ‘party’ by Company Law Appellate Tribunal (NCLAT) has come as a big relief for the workers.
“It is a big relief for HPC paper mills & it’s workers as NCLAT has included Government of India as a ‘party’ in the company appeal (AT) (Insolvency) case no 586 of 2019, filed by us,” said Manabendra Chakraborty, president of Cachar Paper Project Workers Union (INTUC) on Thursday evening.
Speaking to this correspondent at length, Manabendra Chakraborty, also chief convener of HPC Paper Mills Revival Action Committee, informed, “The Government of India repeatedly attempted to deny the order dated May 29 by NCLAT, even by way of suppressing or washing away their responsibilities by taking excuse.
Chakraborty, added, “We have been compelled to approach again before NCLAT for modification of order dated 29th May of this year, to include Union of India as a ‘Party’ so that the Government may not look for any excuse further.”
NCLAT in its order dated 23th July, that is last Tuesday, last, has modified the order dated 29th of May & has included Union of India as a party,” he added.
“Now we are confident that the authorities of the Government will not find any ‘alibi’ & will abide by the order to ensure HPC Paper Mills as a ‘Going Concern’ and will release all pending salary & statutory dues of workers,” reiterated, Chakraborty.
He further said, “I would now raise the issue of Rs 4141 crores being given to both HPCs as was tabled in a PIB report in Parliament.”
“I will also ask chief minister Sarbananda Sonowal, as well as, finance minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, as to why they have not spoken a word of it till date, knowing that, not even a single penny has come to the coffers of these two paper mills,” he further said.