Regarding demand for (National Textiles Corporation) mills to be reopened and dues paid to NTC workers

Regarding demand for (National Textiles Corporation) mills to be reopened and dues paid NTC workers SHRI ANIL YESHWANT DESAI (MUMBAI SOUTH-CENTRAL): Thank you, Chairperson, Madam. I would like to invite the kind attention of this House and the Government towards the pitiable condition of NTC workers, that is, National Textiles Corporation mill workers. In Mumbai, basically four mills are there ? Tata Mills, Podar Mills, India United No. 4, and Digvijay Mills. These mills had been shut down during COVID times and after the lockdown was taken back in June 2020, mill workers were expecting the reopened mills, their jobs would return. But to utter dismay of their expectations, the mills are still closed. Hardly five to ten per cent of the workers are called back by the management only to see that maintenance work or other minor work is done. This has resulted into a very grim situation as far as their household budgets are concerned. They are not able to meet two ends. The situation is very, very pitiable. Even gratuity and legitimate dues of theirs have been withheld by the Government and the Government-run NTC management and, of course, the reasons are best known to them. Mumbai was a place of pride. I would say that Mumbai was known as Manchester and in the world, Mumbai had a position because of the mills. The glory that the mill workers had brought to Mumbai was remarkable and the history says this. So, I would urge, through you, to the Government because on this count, I have written umpteen letters to the Textile Ministers. I have had meetings with the union leaders of the concerned Rashtriya Mill Mazdoor Sangh. I would urge, through you, that this be taken into consideration and it is seen that the mills are reopened and workers get their dues. Thank you.