Shimla, Feb 28
The post of Chief minister has proved to be dias of thorns for Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. As he completes three months in CMO another cement plant Industrial dispute might rise up posing challenge before the fledgling new regime.
Hardly a week has gone past that the resolution of Daralghat and Barmana dispute, worked-out. The freight charges fixation for truckers in the two plants have already sawn seed for another dispute over reduction in freight charges by UltraTech Cement Company. Noteworthy that this plant at Bagha in Solan district had recently agreed to hike the freight charges.
After the reduction of freight charges at Adani cement, now hopes have arisen high for Ultra Tech also to press the demand. The truck operators informed that a 15-point demand letter has been sent to the company on Monday and operator are holding consultation with Ultra Tech at Baga for the past two days.
In this 15-point demand letter, the operators have demanded to give 10,000 metric tonnes of freight daily to various transport organizations engaged to the cement factory. Apart from this, 100 percent work of transportation of raw material to be brought back to the company should also be given to the operators. The main demands of the operators include closure of the company’s dumps in Himachal, giving equal freight rates for cement and clinker, providing 1500 metric tonnes of freight per day to Roorkee and Bhatinda, as well as no reduction in the existing freight rates.
This industrial dispute did not shape-up owing to any prolonged confrontation or disagreement between companies and truck operators. It started after change of ownership from foreign conglomerate Helicium to Adani in September last year. Where after the company’s unilateral action to shutdown of Darlaghat and Bharmana cement plants without giving any notice to Government, started the tiff.
Later Adani Cement plants pushed the burden on truckers for incurring loss in the both plants. The plants remained closed for 66 days, which was resolved a week ago as Government persuaded truckers to agree on reduced freight charges in interest of public at large.
The upper hand of Adani Cement plants during bargaining of reduced freight charges now is also looming large on other cement plant and other industries in the State.
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