The meeting continues on Himachal Cement Factory dispute: Gautam Adani's big statement; Said – this situation was created due to the obstinate attitude of the truck unions

In Himachal Pradesh, it has been 7 days since ACC at Barmana in Bilaspur and Ambuja Cement Plant at Darlaghat in Solan district were closed. An important meeting of the district administration, company managers, and truck operators is being held in Solan today to resolve the dispute. This is the third meeting in the last 7 days.

DC Solan Kritika Kulhari is presiding in Solan. Apart from the officials of the administration, truck operators and officials of both companies are present at the meeting. The core committee members of the Truck Operators Society working in Ambuja Company are presenting their side in the meeting.

Apart from DC, ADC Zafar Iqbal, District Industries General Manager LR Verma, and SDM Keshavram are also present on behalf of the district administration. Adani Group shut down ACC and Ambuja Cement plants after a dispute over freight charges. The state government has entrusted the district administration with the task of resolving the dispute.

The chairperson of Adani Group expressed his reaction

On the other hand, Adani Group Chairperson Gautam Adani says that we are very sorry that this situation has arisen due to the obstinate attitude of the truck unions of Himachal Pradesh. Himachal Pradesh is a state rich in natural resources and deserves better development. The people of the region are entitled to a better price for cement, but this is not possible without the cooperation of the transport unions. The cost of cement is very high for the people of Himachal as compared to neighboring states due to high transportation costs.

Gautam Adani said that Barmana and Darlaghat cement plants have been present in Himachal Pradesh for a long time and these plants have contributed significantly to the economic prosperity of the local people and the revenue of the state. Both companies are among the biggest direct and indirect employers in the state. However, various inefficiencies related to transportation have made the group's 2 cement plants unviable.

What is even more unfortunate, according to Gautam Adani, is that the local transport unions do not allow other transporters to work at competitive rates. It is against the spirit of the free market. There should be an open tender process for freight rates according to vehicle size, carrying capacity, etc. Such matters can be resolved only by understanding the issues faced by all the stakeholders and not by blaming each other.

A government rate can be proposed

There is a dispute between Adani Group and truck operators regarding freight. The present rate of transportation of cement and clinker is Rs 10.58 per quintal per kilometer, while the company is asking to increase this rate to Rs 6. The company says that it is incurring losses at the current rate.

Both parties could not agree on this matter. It is being told that in the meeting to be held on Wednesday, a proposal for a government rate i.e. Rs 9.06 per quintal per kilometer can also come, but it does not seem that the truck operators are ready to carry the goods at this rate, because they are paying goods due from April 1, 2019. They are adamant about increasing the fare.

If the decision is not taken, there will be a meeting of truck operators on the 22

According to the information received, if there is no result in the meeting to be held on Wednesday, then a joint meeting of 8 truck operators societies working in the Ambuja Cement Industry will be held on 22 December. In this, the strategy of the movement can be prepared. Truck operators working in ACC Cement Plant Barmana Bilaspur are protesting, but in Darlaghat there was only one day of protest.

If the decision is not taken, we will agitate together with the people

Ramakrishna Sharma, former president of the Baghal Land Losers Truck Operators Society, says that the freight will be at the current rate only. The intention of the company to transport goods from outside trucks will not be allowed to be fulfilled. Such an operator will not allow this to happen. The truck operators are quietly waiting for the outcome of the December 21 meeting. If there is no result, the truck operators will prepare the outline of the movement along with the people.

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