Shiv Sena, BKU hold joint meet

A joint meeting of the Shiv Sena and the Bhartiya Kisan Union (Lakkowal) was held at the local rest house to demand justice for the workers of JCT Mills.

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The meeting was attended by Shiv Sena state press secretary Kamal Saroj, BKU state vice-president Harminder Singh Khehra, FCI Workers Union state vice-president Bhushan Yadav, and social activist and former councillor Tripta Sharma.

The speakers said despite assurances made by mill owner Sameer Thapar in the presence of the administration last year, the promises to the workers remain unfulfilled.

They alleged that whenever workers raised their demands, the mill management evaded responsibility by providing false assurances under the pretext of obtaining an NOC.

However, this time, they vowed to continue the struggle until justice is served.

After the meeting, Kamal Saroj and Harminder Khehra said their primary demands included filing legal cases against the mill owners and management for deceiving the workers, payment of gratuity, overtime, bonuses and provident fund to workers who left during the COVID-19 pandemic or became unemployed due to the closure of various mill departments, and the release of funds deposited in the mill’s cooperative society.

Additionally, they demanded the settlement of dues owed to the Provident Fund Trust and other allowances.

Tripta Sharma assured full support in the “fight for justice” for the workers. Bhushan Yadav of the FCI Workers Union issued a stern warning, stating that if immediate action was not taken to file FIRs against the mill owners and management, and the workers’ dues were not paid, an intense protest will be launched, for which the state government and local administration would be held responsible. A large number of JCT mill workers were present at the event.