With no signs of reopening of the Chittivalasa Jute Mills, one of the oldest jute mills in the country with a production capacity of 100 tonnes a day, revival of the factory located near Tagarapuvalasa, about 40 km from here, is expected to assume importance with elections scheduled to be held a few months later.
The unit, which provided direct and indirect employment to 6,000 people belonging to the lower strata of society from the neighbourhood, was locked out on April 20, 2009 under the pretext of reducing shifts from three to two.
Later, the management agreed to reopen it once the power situation improved. Though the State achieved surplus power, there is no talk of the jute mill’s reopening.
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After coming to power, the Telugu Desam Party had directed the management to reopen the mill at the earliest. However, there have been no initiatives to resume production at the mill.
Workers in dire straits
According to an estimate, the management owes nearly ₹150 crore in wage arrears to the workers.
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“We want that the government pump in working capital to reopen the mill so that livelihood can be provided to the workers, most of whom are either jobless or working petty jobs,” CITU State president Ch. Narsinga Rao said.
According to YSR Congress, Congress and Left party leaders, the management is trying to dispose of 70 acres under its possession worth ₹700 crore.
Union leaders cite the instance how the government sanctioned funds for reopening of Tummapala Cooperative Sugar Factory earmarking part of it for settling dues of the workers and sought similar package for reviving the jute mill.
The workers have also sought its revival stating that there is a wide scope to market jute products chiefly due to growing awareness against plastic use. “Instead of allowing the jute mill management to do real estate business by selling away valuable lands, the government should try to end the prolonged impasse by granting working capital grant,” a union leader said.