Supermax wants Rs 30 cr rehab package from HP

The Supermax group of industries has demanded a rehabilitation package of Rs 30 crore from the Himachal Pradesh government, so that it can start its operations at the unit near Shimla, which has been shut down due to labour unrest for the last three months.

A mob of armed workers of the company had allegedly attacked senior company officials at the Supermax's manufacturing plant in Shoghi, 15 km from here, in June this year.

After company security guards retaliated by firing, one worker was killed and many injured, and the plant was forcibly closed by the workers.

"Due to lack of police protection and cooperation, we have not been able to start our operations since then, and have faced threat from labour unions. We have now requested the state government to bail us out by providing a relief of Rs 30 crore," Subhash D Chaudhri, GM (Corporate HR), Supermax group told Business Standard on Sunday.

"We have already submitted this request formally to the Shimla district magistrate, after being assured of help by the state chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal," he said.

"We are currently repairing and carrying out maintenance operations at Shoghi. Not only do we want to start operating the unit soon, we also have expansion plans which will generate 5,000 more jobs for locals," Chaudhari said.