Disinvestment notice served to Durgapur Chemicals Ltd

The state government has issued notice for the disinvestment of Durgapur Chemicals Ltd, which had been a sick unit for many years. The decision was taken in the Cabinet meeting on August 17 when Chief Minister, Mamata Banerjee announced that the Durgapur Chemicals Ltd, a sick unit for almost two decades must be disinvested. The state government had, however, said that the final decision would be taken by the WBIDC on how to proceed further.

In the Cabinet meeting it was decided that the government will release its share. The Durgapur Chemicals had been an ailing industry for two decades. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee also announced that the employees of the Durgapur Chemicals have nothing to worry as they will be absorbed in some other services at the government departments. There are altogether a total of six employees who would be inducted in the service, Chief Minister had assured on the day of Cabinet meeting.

The CITU however called for an agitation protesting against the decision of the state government. They will put up demonstration at the Durgapur Chemicals Ltd. They said that both the Centre and the state government cannot disown their responsibilities on this matter.

Durgapur Chemicals Ltd was incorporated in 1963 as a public sector company wholly owned by the West Bengal government as a part of an initiative to develop Durgapur as an industrial hub of West Bengal. DCL started commercial production of Phenol, phthalic anhydride, Monochloro Benzene, Pentachloro Phenol, Caustic Soda, Chlorine and Hydrochloric Acid. But during the Left Front regime the unit gradually turned into a loss making body.

The present state government has taken up a drive towards the effective implementation of various schemes and projects to promote industries. The state government had decided in the Cabinet meeting that three sick industries like Neo Pipes and Tubes Company Limited, National Iron Limited and Lily Products Limited would be winded up.