In 3 years, state provides jobs to 20 mill workers, kin

In the last 3 years, only 15-20 unemployed mill workers and their families have been given jobs that have been promised by the government.

In the last 3 years, only 15-20 unemployed mill workers and their families have been given jobs that have been promised by the government.

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Minister of state for housing Sachin Ahir admitted the department’s shortcomings in keeping up with their promise of providing employment to over 40,000 mill workers and their families while speaking in the legislative council on Wednesday.

He was referring to the issue raised by Shiv Sena legislator Diwakar Raote who said there are several workers — at least 70,000 — who have applied for jobs, but only three or four of them have been given jobs.

“There are a few thousands applications and around 15-20 have been given jobs. We admit we have not done much in this aspect,” said Ahir.

He said in order to expedite the process, the government has decided to form a separate cell for these applications in the state employment exchange to make sure that they get jobs.

“It is true that we had promised them jobs three years ago in the establishments that will come up on the mill land. The problem, however, is that the mill owners have sold off their land to private developers. The new societies refuse to abide by the agreement,” Ahir explained.

Ahir said a meeting will be organised with the chief minister Prithviraj Chavan to discuss a permanent solution on this issue. The Opposition, not happy with the reply staged a walk out.