People’s Representatives express anger over Paper Mill Management
The People's Representatives, including Rajamahendravaram Lok Sabha member D. Purandeswari, Tourism Minister Kandula Durgesh, Rajamahendravaram Urban MLA Adireddy Srinivas, Rajanagaram MLA Bathula Bala Ramakrishna, and Rajamahendravaram Rural MLA Gorantla Buchaiah Chowdary, expressed anger over the adamant attitude of the AP Paper Mills management towards the workers. They stated that the issue of hiking wages would be brought to the notice of Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu.
On Tuesday, discussions regarding wage hikes for 2020 and 2023 were held in the presence of the Joint Labour Commissioner at Rajamahendravaram, involving Public Representatives, the Paper Mill Management, and Workers Union leaders. The representatives expressed dissatisfaction with the management's intentional delay in resolving the issue.
Tourism Minister Durgesh emphasized that the management should settle the wage hike issue in a cordial manner. He alleged that the management, despite agreeing to an earlier commitment, failed to implement it. He further stated that workers are unwilling to accept the management's current proposal. He assured that the alliance government supports the workers' cause. Additionally, he criticized the management for not clearing tax dues of nearly ₹13 crores to the Municipal Corporation and failing to allocate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds.
D. Purandeswari criticized the management's uncooperative attitude towards the workers. Gorantla Buchaiah Chowdary pointed out that wages should be revised every three years, but the management failed to comply. He also demanded an audit of the management's use of Godavari Waters.
District Collector P. Prashanthi noted that the Paper Mill Management is not adhering to government proceedings. RUDA Chairman Boddu Venkata Ramana Chowdary and others were also present during the meeting.