Work resumes in Basumati

Work in the sick PSU Basumati Corporation,which didn’t resume even after it was reopened on October 26,began on November 12 after representatives of the employees’ union held a meeting with senior government officials.

The Left Front government had earlier decided to close the unit but it had to reverse its decision in the wake of Trinamool Congress chief Mamata Banerjee’s announcement that her Railway Ministry was ready to take over the 126-year-old sick unit. Even though it was reopened,work could not resume in the unit as the employees’ union demanded that their salaries and perks be given from the state exchequer and not the reserve fund of the PSU.

“Work has started at Basumati. And so far as Railway proposal is concerned it is a different issue. It is not that easy,” Subesh Das,Principal Secretary (Information and Culture) told The Indian Express.

The employees’ unions,however,have reconciled to the fact that the Railways would not be given the factory. “We want that our legitimate demands are met. In that case we will not clamour for the Railways to take over,” said Timir Muherjee,secretary of the Basumati Bachao Committee.

The state government has assured the employees that their demands will be considered but before that they have to resume work.