State Govt to act tough with LML mgmt

THE STATE Government has finally decided to act tough with the management of LML Industries. It has decided to declare the lockout by LML at its Panki unit as illegal.

THE STATE Government has finally decided to act tough with the management of LML Industries. It has decided to declare the lockout by LML at its Panki unit as illegal.

Talking to  Hindustan Times on phone,  Labour Minister Waqar Ahmad said that government has finally decided to declare the lockout as illegal and a Government Order (GO) would soon be issued in this regard.

After the GO, legal proceedings related to the recovery of pending dues of employees would also be started, informed Ahmad. “A recovery notice for all pending dues of employees, including their salary, will also be issued to the LML management,” he pointed out.

LML Industries had declared a lockout on March 7 due to labour unrest, rendering its about 3000 employees jobless. Since then, employees have not received salary, taking their total pending dues for the last six months to around Rs 6.72 crore.

“State Government had been accused of not doing enough for the development of industries in the State. But contrary to the allegations, we extended full support to LML and Duncan Industries by giving them many concessions,” Ahmad said.

He added that promoters of both the companies did respond positively to government’s initiatives.

“The government cannot do much when it comes to closure of private companies, but to protect the interests of workers strict action will be taken wherever felt necessary,” asserted Ahmad. He further pointed out that similar steps would be taken for recovery of pending dues of employees from the Duncan Industries’ management. 

The minister also informed that a three-member committee had been constituted to suggest ways of reopening JK Jute Industries.