JK Mill to see machines rolling from Monday

Sharda and Mall Group,the owner of JK Jute Mill,has leased out the unit to Bihar-based jute trader Moolchand Jain for 11 months.

From Monday,Jain will take charge of the activities at the mill. He has submitted a copy of the lease agreement between him and Sarda and Mall Group at the department office. A tough road lies before Jain as he is expected to clear heavy debts soon. Due to non payment of dues,power supply to the unit was disconnected on June 21. To resume the work,Jain has to clear the dues before Saturday evening,release Rs 1.27 crore as salary of 2,500 employees,besides undertaking a minimum expenditure of Rs 50 lakh to revamp the infrastructure.

The issue of paying salary for 19 days in June is yet to be resolved. While the management claims since it had ordered the suspension of work during the period,the salary should not be paid. Employees,however,point out that they had continued with the work and hence,must receive the salary. Further,Jain is also grappling with the long list of demands of labour unions.

“Right now the focus is on the resumption of work but their demands are still unsettled. It is not possible for the management to meet each demand,and the employees should consider it,” said Jain. He said the electricity dues would be cleared on Saturday,and power supply would be restored before Monday.

“Though we are not retrenching the staff,it will not be possible for us to take the services of all 2,500 employees from Monday. We will start production with a minimal staff and thereafter induct all the employees in phases,” he added.

JK Jute Mill employee Union leader,Bhagirath Yadav said: “We are willing to compromise on certain issues,but the management should ensure proper facilities and timely payment.”

CITU secretary Arvind Kumar said,“We expect the new management to live up to its commitments.”