In an interesting development which could lead to political mudslinging, Hindustan Paper Corporation Limited (HPCL) has reportedly decided to transfer its headquarters from Kolkata to Guwahati.
The move, claimed by the Assam government in a release issued to the media on January 19, could anger the Trinamool Congress government in West Bengal who earlier had vehemently opposed the Centre’s wish to shift the Tea Board headquarters to Guwahati from Kolkata.
“In a communiqué from HPCL to industries and commerce minister, Chairman-cum-Managing Director (CMD), Shashi Kanth Jain stated that the activities have already started to shift the office,” the official release said.
Assam industries and commerce minister Chandra Mohan Patowary has issued a letter to CMD, HPCL that the office of the Inland Water Transport (IWT) building at Ulubari in Guwahati has been provided to HPCL for setting up of its office and to start furnishing and interior work. As a goodwill gesture, the minister assured that no rent would be payable by HPCL for the time being.
The NDA government in Centre has prepared a Rs 800-crore-proposal for revamping Nagaon paper mill and reviving Cachar paper mill.
Assam has been demanding for increasing the installed capacity of Nagaon paper mill situated at Jagiroad and reviving the Cachar paper mill at Panchgram which has been shut down due to shortage of raw materials.
