Tarun Karthick
Port Blair, 19 January 2024
Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma, the Member of Parliament representing Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and President of the Forest Labour Union, Chatham Mill Division, visited the Government Saw Mill, Chatham on January 18, 2024. The visit aimed at addressing various concerns and discussing key issues affecting the workers at the mill.
Upon his arrival, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma was accorded a warm welcome by the Office Bearers and members of the Forest Labour Union, Chatham Mill Division, who are affiliated to the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC). Mr. S. Balakrishnan, Vice President of the Union, felicitated the MP by adorning him with a shawl, acknowledging his receipt of the Sansad Ratna award for the third consecutive year.
During the visit, Mr. T. Purushotham, an elected member of the Works Committee of Mill Division Chatham from the Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), joined the Forest Labour Union by taking membership.
The Member of Parliament engaged in a detailed discussion with the union members and workers of the Mill Division, Chatham, addressing their grievances and concerns. Subsequently, Mr. Kuldeep Rai Sharma held a meeting with Mr. Suraj Singh, IFS, Deputy Conservator of Forests, Mill Division, Chatham, along with the Office Bearers and Works Committee members of the Forest Labour Union.
Key issues discussed during the meeting included:
1. The need to expedite the construction of an RCC canteen building to provide dining facilities for workers.
2. Repair and maintenance of the rest room for women workers.
3. Timely disposal of cases related to GPF advances, withdrawals, LTC claims, and medical reimbursement for employees.
4. Filling up of vacant promotional posts within the Mill Division.
5. Amendments to the Recruitment Rules (RRs) for higher hierarchy posts that have been designated as direct recruitment.
6. Appointment of a regular Forest Ranger in the Yard section for the unhindered sale of sawn timber.
7. Handing over the petty shop to the Works Committee of Mill Division Chatham.
8. Deployment of designated employees or outsourcing for the sanitation and sweeping of the premises.
9. Development of a parking space for the vehicles of Mill Division Chatham employees on duty.
The Deputy Conservator of Forest, Chatham Saw Mill, patiently heard the concerns raised during the meeting and assured the Hon’ble MP and his team that the issues would be looked into promptly and resolved as soon as possible.