Bajaj Auto to restart its Akurdi plant from Nov 7

Pune, Nov 5 (UNI) Two-wheeler major Bajaj Auto has decided to restart the production of vehicles at its Akhurdi plant, near here, from November 7 after the management and workers union reached a consensus initiated by Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar.

The company discontinued production of vehicles at the plant since September 1 as it had shifted most of the production activity to Pant Nagar plant and Waluj in Aurangabad. Last week, Rajiv Bajaj had stated that the Akhurdi plant would not begin production.

''Bajaj workers will return to work on the first shift from November 7,'' announced Mr Pawar while talking to reporters here today after mediating a meeting between Bajaj management, represented by Managing Director Rajiv Bajaj and Vishwakarma Kamgar Sanghatna (VKS) leader Dilip Pawar.

He said the dialogue process will continue but the workers can restart the work.

When asked to clarify the management's earlier stand that the production activity would not begin at the plant, the Minister said through his intervention, the process of dialogue and confidence building had begun and the workers would return to work.

''There will be no untoward incident on the premises,'' he assured adding it was important to restart the plant for the future of the industries in Pimpri-Chinchwad area.

When asked about how many of the 2,700 strong workers would return to work, Mr Pawar replied that his presence was to ensure that talks begin. It is for the two sides to decide. Henceforth and hopefully, I will not be required to come again, he said.

Giving his reaction, the VKS leader Dilip Pawar said the talks were cordial and each side had some proposals.

''We will put forward our ideas, whether for production or marketing and work out something in a positive atmosphere,'' he said.

UNI