The employees of HMT factory, Ranibag, under the banner of HMT Samyukt Sangharshsheel Morcha, continued their agitation here for the 22nd day in protest against the Central Government’s decision to close this public sector company.
A delegation of the agitating employees would soon meet the Prime Minister and Union Heavy Industry Minister in Delhi, they said. A six-member delegation of the employees led by MP from Nainital — Udham Singh Nagar, Bhagat Singh Koshiyari left for Delhi on Thursday, said KS Rawat, media in-charge of HMT Sanyukt Sangharshsheel Morcha.
More so, the members of the HMT Sanyukt Sangharshsheel Morcha have also decided to meet Chief Minister Harish Rawat soon, Rawat added. They demanded the Governments to take initiatives to revive the factory. They also urged the Government of India to clear their salary dues pending since April 2014.
They also demanded restoration of power supply to the company, informing that the power supply to the HMT unit at Ranibag had been cut long time ago. So, the unit is using other costly fuel like diesel to carry on with the industrial works.
In case, the Government of India does not want to manufacture watches at this factory, it must allow production of equipments for defence, railways and other sectors as had been done before, said the agitating employees of the factory.
At the same time, they demanded total reshuffling of the management at the unit. There are as many as 523 employees presently working with this factory. We would intensify our stir if the Government fails to listen to our concerns, the striking employees asserted. If needed, we would also stage protest in Dehradun and Delhi, they further said.