West Bengal govt sets up committee to assess status of Jessop

Kolkata, Feb 2 (PTI) Concerned over the Jessop and Company management's bid to sell scraps and machinery from its premises, the West Bengal government in a tripartite meeting today decided to set up a monitoring committee to assess the real situation obtaining in the unit. State's Labour Minister Purnendu Bose said he called the meeting as soon as he came to know from newspaper reports that Pawan Ruia-owned Jessop and Company was about to sell scraps and machinery. Representatives of the management said that the sale of scraps and machinery were being done for the revival of the unit and make payment to the staff. But the minister expressed surprise why the company, which posted a net profit of Rs 23 crore last year, failed to pay its office staff and honour wagon supply commitments. Though the workers were getting payment, the office staff were not, he pointed out. When Ruia took over the company, it had about 1,200 workers, but its current strength had come down to 785 only, Bose said. Simultaneously, a team of engineers would also be deputed to assess the technical feasibility of the company at present and submit a report to the state government. "The management has been clearly told that it could not sell out properties of the company at their will compromising the interest of the workers," Bose said, adding that it had also been asked to submit balance sheet and annual returns. The workers have also been asked to put in their suggestions for the revival of the company, Bose said, adding that the state government would fully cooperate in the company's revival process. Another Ruia-owned company Dunlop India owed Rs 72 crore to different government agencies, while the industry ministry was reviewing the legal status of the ailing unit. A creditor has even filed a case demanding liquidation of the company, the minister said.