Reopening Dunlop before election just a gimmick: Congress

Kolkata, Nov 18 (UNI) The West Bengal Congress today alleged that the re-opening of Dunlop India unit at Sahaganj in 2006 was nothing but a gimmick of the Left Front government just before the Assembly elections in the state.

Talking to newspersons, Veteran Congress leader Subrata Mukherjee, also the INTUC state president, said, ''The company, being export-oriented, can be hit by the global financial crisis.

But the firm has a monopoly in the tyre manufacturing segment for the aviation sector. It also caters to both government and private carriers.'' ''Reopening Dunlop India at Sahaganj was a gimmick of the Left Front government before the assembly elections. On the other hand, stopping production in the firm's Sahaganj unit in the wake of economic recession worldwide is just a prelude to its closure,'' Mr Mukherjee observed.

Referring the decision of the firm's management to provide a subsistence allowance of Rs 2,000 per month to 1,200 employees each, he said, ''It is grossly illegal. This is not in accordance with the Industrial Act.'' ''Our movement will continue against Dunlop. We have sought the government's clarification on whether it is a lock-out or lay-off.

The government should explain," Mr Mukherjee added.

The Congress would gherao the head office of Dunlop India at Park Circus next week, he told newspersons.

UNI AKM SB ss 2012