The Kolkata-based Ruia Group, controlled by P. K. Ruia, has sought the permission of the West Bengal Government to close down wagon maker Jessop & Co.
Jessop has 600 permanent employees on its rolls. According to the management, the average salary of the employees is Rs 14,000.
In a letter to State Labour Minister Purnendu Bose, issued on November 1, group Chairman P.K. Ruia referred to a recent tripartite meeting chaired by Bose, where the company’s plea for introducing productivity-linked wages was turned down. A copy of the letter was also marked to Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee.
Jessop has a number of unions of which two are affiliated to rival factions of the ruling Trinamool Congress. The Jessop management has been at loggerheads with the Trinamool unions, especially the one controlled by the Labour Minister, for the last one year.
A series of FIRs were lodged in the local police station against manhandling of management staff and rampant theft of scrap, among others.
In his letter, Ruia alleged the company management was dared by Bose to close down and face the consequences.