Bengal government to absorb workers of closed state PSUs

Kolkata, Aug 17 (PTI) The West Bengal government hasdecided to absorb employees of three closed state publicsector undertakings and develop the land as industrial parks. According to a senior minister, the decision wascleared at a Cabinet meeting at the state secretariat today toabsorb employees of Neo Pipes and Tubes Ltd, National Iron andSteel Ltd and the Lily Products Ltd and use the lands forindustrial parks. "The state government will not take responsibility ofthese companies any more and will not make any furtherinvestment there. The existing employees will be absorbed bythe state government," the minister said. These three companies have been non-operational for along time and most of the employees have reached retirementage and only a few were there to be absorbed, the ministeradded. In today’s meeting, it was also decided that the statewill pursue disinvestment in the struggling Durgapur ChemicalsLtd and absorb its employees also. It has also taken a decision to speed up the processof issuing SC and ST certificates to around 16,000 inhabitantsof 91 (enclaves) Chitmahal, he said. On the raging dengue in the state, Chief Minister MamataBanerjee has asked the ministers to be alert and keep a closewatch on their respective areas. Banerjee, who is scheduled to leave for Vatican Cityon September 2 to attend the canonisation of Mother Teresa hascalled another Cabinet meeting a day before, sources said. PTISCH MDUZM