Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis orders action against fake union leaders

MUMBAI: In a joint meeting with top police officers of the state, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has instructed them to take strong action against fake union leaders, who blackmail industrialists.

Confirming the CM's orders, state Industries minister Subhash Desai today said that the decision has been taken as part of the 'Make in India' campaign, where the government is keen on enhancing its current position of 132 out of the total 189 countries, in terms of ease of doing business.

In a recent meeting held at the state secretariat chaired by Fadnavis, the issue of the "blackmailing" of industrialists by fake union leaders was discussed.

"We received several complaints from industrialists that some labour leaders are blackmailing them to use the services of some particular suppliers or else they will not be allowed to conduct their business," Desai said.

"Most of the complaints are from the Pune region and we have found that these people who are threatening do not belong to any labour union, but still have visiting cards of the 'Mathadi' (headloaders) union.

"When we inquired with the Mathadi 'union', we were told they are not a part of them," Desai said, adding the Mathadi union has asked the state government to take action against fake union leaders.

The minister said that no labour union is involved in any kind of blackmailing.

"According to a survey, India is not a safe and healthy place for industrialists to conduct their business operations. Our global rating has declined to 132 among 189 nations. Modiji (Prime Minister Narendra Modi) wants the current scenario to improve in the near future," Desai said.

Desai said Modi has set a target of bringing India up to number 50. Last month, a fake labour leader kidnapped an industrialist in Kolhapur.

A representative body of industries had raised the issue with Desai when he was on a tour to Kolhapur.