No question of government takeover of Dunlop: Chandan Mitra

The Chandan Mitra-headed parliamentary standing committee on commerce analysing the rubber industry to propose reforms in the rubber and tyre sector Monday ruled out any takeover by the central government of the sick Dunlop India Ltd (DIL).

"There is no question of takeover of Dunlop by the Centre," Mitra, a Bharatiya Janata Party MP, said when asked if the central government is considering takeover of DIL.

"After visiting the Sahagunj factory today and talking to the management officials and representatives of three trade unions, I find the company management is not at all interested to revive the factory," he told media persons.

Mitra said when disinvestment is one of the concerns for the central government, considerations are not being made for a takeover either by the central or the state government.

The visiting team will submit a report to the concerned ministry with suggestions on some alternative projects using the factory's prime land of 189 acres on the bank of Hooghly river along the GT Road. Out of 189 acres of land, only 56 acres are being occupied by the factory with the rest remaining unused and growing moss and forests.

"We found only 12 workers are allowed to enter to clean machines with kerosene in the factory," Mitra said.

The Rajya Sabha member also said since there isn't a shortage of power in the state, setting up of an exclusive power unit for the factory's revival is an excuse from the Ruia Group, the owners of DIL for not reviving the factory.

Mitra also said Pawan Ruia, the head of the Ruia Group did not attend a meeting with the visiting team which implied Ruia is not interested in revival efforts.

The parliamentarian also spoke to Leftist union CITU, Trinamool backed INTTUC and Congress backed INTUC who said Ruia is merely buying time and doesna't want to revive the factoy.