Request The Government To Ensure That The Orders on 16 March, 2000

SHRI SUNIL KHAN (DURGAPUR): Sir, I want to raise a very important issue regarding ABBL, Durgapur which is managed by M/s Alsthom Power, which is a global power company, since December, 1999. The Department of Power, Government of India holds 15 per cent share in the company. The company did not receive any major order for the last 5 years desspite being competetive in some from NTPC project. The company’s net worth would be negative at the close of the financial year. Consequent to that, it would be necessary to refer it to BIFR. Sir, the company is manufacturing very good quality boiler. It has 1122 workers. The members of the Union of that company and two Members of Parliament, Shri Basu Deb Acharia and Shri Bikash Chowdhury met the hon. Minister of Power, Shri Kumarmangalam on 14th December, 1999 and discussed this matter in detail. The hon. Prime Minister was pleased to assure them that some jobs would be given to the company so that the company is not closed. Our hon. Chief Minister, Shri Jyoti Basu has already written to the hon. Minister of Power to look into the matter. But I regret to say that still no order has been given to the company. Not only that, the mangement is almost redy to shift the office from Calcutta to Vadodara. I would request the Minister not to shift the office from Calcutta to Vadodara. I strongly object it. You please ensure the House that the orders will be given so that the ABBL, Durgapur Unit is revived and 1122 workers could be saved.