JCT workers protest in Phagwara

Hundreds of the irate workers belonging to Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh and INTUC Union, led by the president of the JCT Mill BMS Union, Ajay Kumar Yadav and the president of the JCT Mill INTUC Union, Dharmendra Yadav, organised a protest march from Thapar Colony here to the gates of JCT Mill, Phagwara. They said they protested pending salaries, allowances, EPS and bonuses, among other arrears, by the JCT Mill directors, Sameer Thapar and Mukulika Sinha.

The protesters burnt effigies of Sameer Thapar and Mukulika Sinha in front of JCT Mill, Phagwara and raised slogans against the mill.

The leaders said the directors of the mill have not paid their salaries for the last five months, adding that various allowances and bonuses to be paid to the workers were also pending. They said the work at the JCT Mill has been halted, adding the management was not responding to their requests. They said the workers were being harassed by the directors and management of the mill.

The protesting workers said they had filed various applications to the local police administration to take action against the directors of the mill; however, they claimed the police had failed to take any significant action against the mill management. They said they had to organise the protest as they felt helpless.

They stated that about 400 workers of JCT Mill had not been paid for five months, adding that it had become impossible for workers to attend to their basic needs, especially considering the upcoming festivities.

The leaders of the unions said they would intensify their stir if no action was taken against Sameer Thapar and Mukulika Sinha.

Meanwhile, a complaint has been lodged by Vaneet Sahni, Assistant Commissioner of Income Tax (TDS), Ramhet Meena, seeking explanation from the JCT management about the non-payment of deductions made by JCT Mill. The IT Department has asked the mill management to file a reply by October 23.