VR SCHEME ATTRACTS OVER 4 LAKH PSE
EMPLOYEES
CONSULTATIVE
COMMITTEE FOR HI&PE MEETS
An attractive voluntary retirement
scheme introduced in May 2000 has helped PSEs in rationalising
workforce. A very good compensation package under the Scheme has
helped more than four lakh workers to respectfully part ways with
their organisation and yet remain financially secure and cared
for. This was stated by the Heavy Industries and Public Enterprises
Minister, Shri Balasaheb Vikhe Patil at a meeting of the Parliamentary
Consultative Committee attached to his Ministry last evening.
Shri Patil said the implementation of Counselling, Retraining
and Redeployment (CRR) Scheme is representative of the Government's
approach to pursuing reforms with a human face.
The Members were informed
that CRR Scheme is one such initiative to help workers after Voluntary
Retirement. This process was started when the Government had set
up a National Renewal Fund in February, 1992 to create a safety
net for those sections of the workers who are likely to be adversely
affected by the process of restructuring and reforms. In around
10 years period, about 55,000 employees were retrained. However,
this was grossly inadequate. The current CRR scheme was formulated
and launched in November 2001. Major success has been achieved
in covering large number of workers under this scheme since then.
During 2001-02, plan fund of Rs.Eight crore was provided which
was increased to Rs.Ten crore in 2002-03. However, to take care
of all the VRS optees wanting to avail of this scheme atleast
Rs.20 to 25 crore was needed, he added.
Cement Corporation of India
was the second area of discussion at the meeting. Shri Patil informed
the Committee that the Cement Corporation of India, after playing
a very important role in the country's economy for several decades,
has got into bad shape. Tough competition is as much responsible
for its dwindling fortunes as other factors. CCI has been with
BIFR since 1966. BIFR has not succeeded in coming up with any
viable revival plan. Therefore, in October 2002, BIFR has given
the decision to the Operating Agency, i.e. IFCI for completing
the sale process of all the units of CCI within six months.
Paper Industry PSEs under
the Ministry was the third area taken up for discussion at the
meeting. The Minister said that there are two PSEs, Hindustan
Paper Corporation Ltd. (HPC) and NEPA under the Ministry. HPC
has one operational subsidiary, Hindustan Newsprint Limited (HNL)
– the other two subsidiaries i.e. Nagaland Pulp & Paper Company
(NPPC) and Mandya National Paper Mills Ltd. (MNPC) are not functional.
HPC has two large plants at
Nagaon and Cachar in Assam manufacturing paper. HNL, in Kerala,
is a large unit manufacturing newsprint. HPC has been making profits
consistently for the last six years and HNL for the last 12 years
except during the last financial year. All the three Mills have
obtained ISO 9002 and certification after complying with the requirement
of Quality Management System and Environmental Management System
requirement.
NEPA located in Khandwa District
of MP unfortunately has been making losses for over a decade.
Not only is the plant and equipment very old, it also has a major
drawback in the absence of de-inking facility. As in the case
of the other Newsprint mills, cheaper imports are causing serious
stress on the viability of the unit.
NPPC was also referred to
BIFR which has ordered its winding up in March 2002. An appeal
against the BIFR decision of winding up was filed by the Government
of Nagaland and the NPPC employees in the AAIFR which is still
pending.
The following Members of Parliament
attended yesterday's meeting : Shri M.V.Rajsekharan and Dr. Bikram
Sarkar.
