Govt’s decision to take over Jessop, Dunlop revives hope among HM workers

The state government’s decision to take over Jessop and Dunlop India Limited has lightened up hope among labourers of the Hindustan Motors Limited which was closed in 2014.  The employees expect that the state government will also take up some steps to open and revive the oldest automobile manufacturing units in the country situated in Hooghly.

Workers of the factory held a rally near the unit on Sunday morning.  The rally started from Hind Motor bazar and it ended outside the gate of the closed factory after passing through the GT Road. 

Claiming that they do not have any political affiliation, the workers stated they held the rally just to let the state government know their expectation through the local representatives. 

“We would also write to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on behalf of all the workers requesting her to take over Hindustan Motors as the factory still has a huge potential and it will be the country’s best automobile manufacturing unit if proper steps are taken,” said a worker Sashthi Ghosh. 

It may be recalled that the unit was closed on May 25, 2014 for an indefinite period due to a fall in production, shortage of funds and huge liabilities. In the manufacturing unit at Uttarpara in Hooghly, the company used to make Ambassador that once ruled the Indian roads. 

Moreover, the car was used by politicians and senior bureaucrats.  Apart from that the usual yellow taxis in Kolkata were all Ambassador. 

Even some blue and white taxis are also Ambassadors. With the closure of the factory, cars of Maruti-Suzuki and other companies have taken up the place of Ambassador in taxi segment. 

The workers of the closed factory stated that the economic condition of the area will improve once the factory reopens. 

“Today we held the rally with great expectations that some steps will be taken in this connection,” said an employee. 

A state government official said in this connection that there were many aspects that need to be considered before taking over a factory.  First of all it was important to know the stand of the present owner on reviving it. If the owner submitted that there was no plan of reopening or reviving the 

unit, then only the talks for taking over may start considering several other factors mainly the legal aspects.