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Denis Giles

23 February 2014

Created: 23 February 2014

Last Updated: 23 February 2014

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Apex Court ordering acquisition of ATI’s landed property at Bambooflat could pave the way for settlement of workers VRS dues that has been pending for the last more than a decade.

Bureau Report

Port Blair, Feb 23: More than 800 workers of M/S Andaman Timber Industries Ltd (ATI) have not been paid retirement and statutory dues admissible to them since the factory closed in the fall of 2000, writes Debkumar Bhadra in his blog titled Musings of an Islander.

Estranged workers raised the issue in every available forum and even got a Labour Court Award in their favour but nothing could turn the tide. M/S Andaman Timber Industries Limited had its Plywood manufacturing factory at Shore Point Village near Bambooflat Jetty in South Andaman. The factory started sometime in the early 60’s with modest two digit workforce, soon emerged as the frontrunner providing livelihood, directly or indirectly to a large section of rural South Andaman. At its peak the factory operated in three shifts with strength of about 1200 workers. After four decades of operation, the factory was closed on 9th day of October, 2000 apparently without observing provisions mandated under Industrial Disputes Act, 1947.

The workmen and their Union raised the issue with the management several times, but to no anvil. Ultimately the then Hon’ble LG at the instance of Member of Parliament convened a meeting at Raj Nivas wherein ATI management agreed to pay workers retirement and statutory dues in a specified time frame, but not without caveat; payment was linked to liquidation of company’s movable and immovable assets. Since the agreement had involvement of Raj Nivas, A&N Administration invoked Section 17 of Land Acquisition Act and completed the daunting task of surveying, inventorisation, reckoning market value of company’s assets in a record time of 12 months and acquired 8.86 hectares of company’s immovable property at Bambooflat, for Development of Port related facilities. Summarily, compensation to the tune of Rs 3.03 Crore was paid to factory management during Sept 2002.

The blogger points out that this amount, according to the agreement should have been disbursed to settle workers VRS and other statutory dues. But ATI management not only broke its promise, it also breached the Labour Court Award and to make matters further worse, slapped a lawsuit before vanishing with compensation worth Rs 3.03 crore in its pocket.

Referring to the latest order of the Supreme Court, Bhadra wrote that the legal wrangle that has been cited and used as a cover to prolong the issue has culminated. In its order dated 28 Nov, 2013 the Collector of Land Acquisition has been ordered to make and publish an award in respect of the remaining land and pay compensation to M/S Andaman Timber Industries within four months. This would mean acquisition of company’s property and payment of compensation to the tune of Rs 14,20,97,426/- (less Rs 3.03 Crore already paid) to the factory management.

The blogger also stressed on the need to remain vigilant to past experience and deemed it extremely necessary to attach pre-condition for release of compensation payment to the factory management. It urged the authorities to make it mandatory for the ATI management to clear VRS and other statutory dues payable to the workers before the compensation is paid to factory management.

Concluding the post, he referred to a Labour Court Award published in A&N Gazette No 52/04/F No 3-356/2003-Labour dated 05/03/2004 and wrote that instant ruling gave concerned authorities the locus standi to take a final call in the matter. The authorities could make use of the opportunity and cause implementation of the labour court decree, which ordered immediate payment of workers dues way back in 2003.

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Denis Giles

11 August 2013

Created: 11 August 2013

Last Updated: 11 August 2013

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Port Blair, Aug. 11: Mr.Ebrahim Jadwet, S/o Shri Nasir Jadwet, a businessman based in Port Blair on Thursday addressed the Rotary Club of Abbotsford-Matsqui in Abbotsford, British Columbia, Canada. Ebrahim was invited by Aird Flavelle, Director of Club Service as a guest speaker to address the club about the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

In his elocution to the club, Ebrahim touch-based various topics such as the history of the islands, economy, tourism, health care, and also invited the club members to experience the tropical beauty of the emerald islands.

The Rotary club of Abbotsford-Matsqui was chartered on Feb. 23^rd 1985 and was sponsored by the Abbotsford Rotary Club. The club currently consists of over 50 members from the community that includes businessmen, politicians, and industry professionals.

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Denis Giles

13 January 2014

Created: 13 January 2014

Last Updated: 13 January 2014

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Port Blair, Jan. 12: The President of India and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces      Shri Pranab Mukherjee was received at INS Utkrosh on his arrival at Port Blair by the Hon’ble Lieutenant Governor Lt Gen (Retd) AK Singh, PVSM, AVSM, SM, VSM, Air Marshal PK Roy, AVSM, VM, VSM, ADC, CINCAN and other dignitaries of the Administration. The President was presented an impressive 150 men Tri Services Guard of Honour by the Andaman & Nicobar Command. A 21-gun salute was fired in honour of the President by the Naval Coast Battery at Ross Island to commemorate the visit. The President is scheduled to visit Headquarters Andaman and Nicobar Command and would be hosted at a luncheon on 12 Jan 14 at ANC Officers Mess.

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Denis Giles

11 June 2013

Created: 11 June 2013

Last Updated: 11 June 2013

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The building constructed by Smti.  R. Chitra, W/o Shri S. Rama Krishna, R/o Junglighat revenue village, Ward No. 07, on Plot Survey No.  1079/14/1 situated at Junglighat revenue village was in gross violation of the sanction plan granted vide No. 10-2120/BID/BO/MC/1237 dated 20.03.2013 as well as Municipal Building Bye-laws.

The above said building was constructed on the aforesaid Plot covering more than the recorded area and also by exceeding the maximum plot coverage and F.A.R. The set back available at site is less than the required set back which are non-compoundable offence. 

On noticing the violation, Port Blair Municipal Council has issued Stay Order bearing No.  1843 dated 28.03.2013 and Notice vide No. 10-2120/BID/BO/MB/1092 dated 28.03.2013 to stop the unauthorized construction. But the party has continued the construction work by ignoring the Council’s Order.  Thus the aforesaid building was sealed on 01.06.2013 vide Sealing Order No. 3102 dated 30/05/2013 and Order No. 10-2120/BID/BO/118 dated 31st May 2013.

The Secretary, Port Blair Municipal Council has further stated that similar action will be taken in all major un-authorized constructions. Builders have to follow the law in force for the benefit of their own interest, failing which consequences will follow.

Secretary

Municipal Council

Port Blair