Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma taking part at the relief package distribution to the former employees and workers of Hindustan Paper Corporation (Liquidated) in a programme at Srimanta Sankardev Kalakshetra in Guwahati on July 7 | CMO, Assam

Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma distributed the relief package to former employees and workmen of Nagaon Paper Mill and Cachar Paper Mill of Hindustan Paper Corporation Limited (Liquidated) in a programme held at Srimanta Sankardeva Kalakshetra in Guwahati on July 7.

This humanitarian gesture of the Assam government taken through this relief package will cost an amount of Rs 810.02 crore and would benefit 2,751 employees of both the mills including 2003 regular employees and 748 contractual workers.

Sarma said that the Assam government took this step considering the hardship the former employees, workmen and their families had to endure due to non-operation of the mills for last 5 to 6 years.

“When the BJP-led government first came to power in the state it took several steps such as providing free electricity, scholarships to children of the former employees etc. In the second term, the decision was taken to buy both the paper mills following guidance from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and union home minister Amit Shah to address the issues faced by the families of the former employees,” Sarma said.

He stated that during this period the state government held several round of discussions with the employees union of both the paper mills and took the decision to pay net salary and wages to the employees and workmen that were due till the time of closure of the paper mills, providing employment to eligible employees of the mills in state government.

The chief minister said that under this relief package, a trust would be created with a financial outlay of Rs 25 crores. This would be utilised for various purposes like medical benefits, educational support and social assistance among others of the former employees and workers.

He announced that the Assam government would put efforts into opening a new paper mill at the plot of land of Cachar Paper Mill and the land of Nagaon Paper Mill would be utilised for expansion of the capital region.

He said that the state government is also planning for the construction of an eight-lane super highway for speedy transportation between Guwahati and Jagiroad.

The state government has already initiated steps for providing employment to 84 eligible former employees of the mills in the state government. Out of these appointment, letters have been distributed to 66 such employees on the occasion.

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