Port Blair, May 5: The Member of Parliament, Shri. Kuldeep Rai Sharma today met the Deputy Commissioner of South Andaman, Shri. Suneel Anchipaka and highlighted the issue of 20 retrenched workers of the Rubber Board Plantation at Shaitan Khari.

During the meeting the Member of Parliament informed that about 20 Mazdoor (17 Male and 3 Female Mazdoor) were working in the plantation since last 20 to 30 years, and on 30.04.2022 also they were on duty. But surprisingly on the closure of the day the supervisory staff of the Rubber Board at Saithankhari informed them that the management of the board has decided the closure of the unit and they need not to attend duties form 01.04.2022.

He added that it was shocking news to the workmen, because no prior intimation was given to the workmen by the management prior to 30.04.2022.  The workers later approached the Member of Parliament for help.

The Member of Parliament also informed Deputy Commissioner that the legal possession of land measuring an area of 206.39 hectares in the Ferrargunj Tehsil of South Andaman, allotted to the Rubber Board during the year 1964-65 for development of Rubber Plantation and Rubber Nursery, has been taken over by the Andaman and Nicobar Administration during the month of November 2021.

On the basis of the demand raised by 20 retrenched workers of the Rubber Board Plantation at Shaitan Khari, the Member of Parliament requested the Deputy Commissioner (SA) to intervene into the matter and impress upon the management of the firm to whom 12,500 yielding rubber trees has been given on lease by the Rubber Board for period of two years ending on 01.10.2023, for re-employment of the retrenched workers of the Rubber Board plantation of Shaitan Khari.