By TC News Desk
Agartaka, 27th August 2024: The workers, employees and pensioners from Jute mills in Tripura assembled at Swami Vivekananda Maidan on Tuesday and echoed against alleged deception and dishonesty, culminating in a ‘Mahakaran Abhiyan’- a massive protest march targeting the Finance Secretary of the state government.
Secretary of the Tripura Chatkal Sramik Union (TCSU) Dhanamani Sinha emphasized the peaceful nature of their demonstration. However, their procession was halted by police near the Circuit House area, prompting them to stage a sit-in protest by the roadside.
The crux of their demand lies in the settlement of long-standing dues owed to 1,647 jute mill workers who toiled on January 1, 1996. This claim stems from a High Court ruling that mandated full payment of salary allowances, gratuity, and leave salaries, as per the court’s order. Notably, the court’s directive followed the 2019 judgment by then Chief Justice Ajay Rastogi, which upheld the fourth pay scale recommendation for jute mill workers employed since 1996.
Despite legal victories, the path to justice has been fraught with delays. Appeals against the judgment were dismissed by the Division Bench, and the Supreme Court reinforced the verdict on September 4, 2023, urging prompt execution. Yet, the dues remain unpaid, leading to contempt of court proceedings against government officials and jute mill authorities.
Recently, on July 10, 2024, the jute mill authorities failed to produce accurate documents and affidavits in court. Consequently, the court issued stringent orders, granting a three-week window for submission. The authority representing the jute mill submitted an affidavit on August 7 by cooking up invoking financial constraints due to halted production and mounting debts. The affidavit cited insufficient funds as the reason for non-payment, despite efforts to secure loans against Jute Mill property.
With a government-sanctioned fund of ₹30 crores, the outstanding dues for 1,647 workers must be settled promptly. The workers’ unions insist on adherence to the Supreme Court’s judgment, underscoring the urgency of justice for those who labored tirelessly in the jute mills.
