Dunlop's WB plant reopens; govt & mgmnt confident of revival

Dunlop India's West Bengal plant at Sahaganj, which had remained closed since 2011, reopened today and both the state government and management headed by Pawan K Ruia are optimistic on sustained phase-wise revival of the plant.

The reopening of the plant at Sahagung in Hooghly district just before the Durga puja is seen as a major achievement by the state government and Rs 5,000 as part payment of one-time settlement due comes as a great relief to the workers in distress.

State Labour Minister Malay Ghatak said Rs 5,000 will be paid in the next three days and rest in the four equal installments.

The entire workers liability would be cleared over next 18-19 months. Currently, there are 555 workers on permanent roll.

While addressing the reopening ceremony, state Education Minister Partha Chatterjee said both workers and management have to work hard to revive the plant.

At the same time, he indicated if there is further closure then government might take some alternate measure.

Ruia Group chairman Pawan K Ruia said despite all the problems, "I was optimistic about reopening of the plant as workers of this plant are most efficient."

He said redundancy of machinery and technology shortcomings will not come in way of beginning production in phases. Initially after maintenance work the industrial division will be opened followed by OTR tyre.

Ruia had come along with his family and even briefed his son about the plant to ally apprehensions that he was not serious about running the factory.