EMC's factory reopens

Kolkata, Oct 30 (UNI) After five and half years, Beliaghata factory of the EMC reopened today.

EMC, pioneer in the manufacturing of hi-tension transmission line tower in the country, was acquired by city industrialists Sunderlal Dugar, Manoj Toshniwal, Aditya Bagri and Ramesh Chandra Bardia in 2005 after the company went to BIFR in 2002.

A tripartite agreement was signed between the new management, EMC Workmens' Union and the state government on March 8, 2006 towards the reopening of the Beliaghata factory.

The management has agreed to retain all 190 workers. In addition, workers got their two months' salary which was due, unpaid bonus, one time payment of Rs 2500 and also some advance payment.

EMC had three units at Beliaghata, Jessore Road and Naini in Uttar Pradesh. Since 2001, all the units were closed.

Immediately, after the acquisition, the new management decided to shift its Jessore Road factory to Agarpara with the approval of BIFR.

The management has started a real estate development project in the Jessore Road premises and the income generated from this project will be pumped in Beliaghata factory.

The management has already invested Rs 3 crore towards overhauling of machineries in Beliaghata factory and workers' payment.

EMC General Manager Utpal Ganguli EMC said the Naini factory will be reopened in January. The commercial production in Agarpara unit will be started by December 15, 2006.

Starting with the production capacity of 1000 ton per month at Beliaghata, the company plans to increase the production volume gradually.

" We have already received orders from Rajasthan State Electricity Board, Madhya Pradesh State Electricity Board and Power Grid Corporation for supplying the hi-tension transmission line towers.

Taking our competitors like KEC and Jyoti into account we are hopeful to regain our leading position in the eastern region," Mr Ganguli added.

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