Karimganj: Trade unions under the banner of CITU staged a demonstration here and submitted a memorandum addressed to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh on Wednesday drawing attention to the situation in Cachar Paper Mill under Hindustan Paper Corporation.
The memorandum sought the prime minister’s intervention for ensuring normal and regular functioning of the paper mill on which three lakh people of Assam’s Barak Valley and neighbouring states depended on directly or indirectly.
The memorandum, copy of which was sent to union heavy industries and public enterprise minister, said when the mill was commissioned in the early 80’s it had significant production often reaching the optimum capacity. It was made a schedule ‘A’ unit with ‘Miniratna’ grade for public sector enterprises.
However, its functioning had been plagued by problems like inadequate and erratic supply of basic raw materials bamboo and coal during the past few years due to a nexus between suppliers and a section of the managerial staff, the memorandum said.
The supply of bamboo became a major factor as the government of Mizoram imposed a ban on it and that from Assam’s Dima Hasao Hills district had become irregular, it added.
The demonstration was held before the office of Karimganj deputy commissioner. (PTI)