700 HOC workers not paid for 14 months

About 700 workers at the state-run Hindustan Organic Chemicals (HOC) unit situated at Rasayani, near Panvel in Navi Mumbai have been reporting to duty in hope that they will soon experience acche din. These workers haven't got their salaries for the past 14 months as the unit is facing an erosion of working capital.

HOC is the sole producer of dinitrogen tetroxide, commonly referred to as nitrogen tetroxide in India, a material which is used by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) for research purpose and launching activities.

Employee unions have claimed that the unit has ceased its operations since 2001, bringing several families on the verge of starvation. Three workers have recently committed suicide owing to their concern for survival.

QUESTION OF SURVIVAL

• HOC's total dues in the Rasayani unit towards salary, wages and statutory dues are of Rs 200 crore
   
• Another Rs 200 crore due towards arrears of suppliers and other agencies
   
• Rasayani unit has 1,000 acres, the unit is waiting for government's nod to monetise it
   
• The Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers Ananth Kumar recently announced the unit will not be closed down but revived

HOC's total dues in the Rasayani unit towards salary, wages and statutory dues estimated at Rs 200 crore while another Rs 200 crore is due  towards arrears of suppliers and other agencies.

HOC Employees Union President BP Peshattiwar and Maharashtra Shramik Sena General Secretary GH Mali said the company still possesses formaldehyde and aniline plants in good working condition, which can be made operational again, provided there is regular supply of raw material.

"This will not only revive operations at the plant but also provide renewed livelihood to the workers who have been rendered jobless.  It is time the government stepped in and took proactive action in the matter by pumping in the  much needed working finance to purchase raw materials to start production activity and settle the dues of the affected workers in a prompt manner," they added in a release.

HOC's Chairman and Managing Director S B Bhide admitted that the Rasayani unit is going through a difficult phase.

He also confirmed three employees committed suicide. ''The Union Minister of Chemicals and Fertilisers Ananth Kumar recently announced the Rasayani unit will not be closed down but revived.

The revival proposal will be forwarded to Niti Aayog for further action,'' he said.

Bhide said the Rasayani unit has 1,000 acres, which the government may allow the company to monetise so that the proceeds can be used to pay the arrears and revival of the unit.

This apart, the government may give permission to go in for part finance so that the company can implement voluntary retirement scheme. This will help make the operations viable.