RMMS blasts NTC plan for mills

The entire fund raised from sale of mill land in the city must be used for revival of mills in Mumbai only, he demanded and threatened that RMMS would stage agitations if NTC decided to implement the Union Cabinet’s decision. “What will happen to the 26,000 mill hands working in NTC Mills in Mumbai? The compensation under the Voluntary Retirement Scheme (VRS) being offered by NTC is meagre,” he said.

The RMMS disagrees with the DF government on the decision, he said and added the Sangh was not taken into confidence while taking the decision. When pointed out that the state government was likely to take a similar decision in case of private mills, Ahir said RMMS would oppose it. “Is it possible to raise the required funds from the sale if you make available 200 acres of vacant land? The real estate prices are likely to come down and the government may not get the funds required for revival of the mills,” he opined.

Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh has invited RMMS tomorrow to hold talks on the issue, he said. “We will oppose the DF government if it allows permission of sale of surplus land held by private mills without any commitment for revival of units in Mumbai,” he said. Revival should be given top priority while allowing such permission, he demanded. Ahir also criticised Textiles Minister Ranjit Deshmukh for saying that the government will allow shifting of textile units in other parts of the state outside Mumbai.