Small Scale Industries Minister Satish L. Jarkiholi, who is also the District In-charge Minister, has asked the management of Gokak Mills to attend the conciliatory meeting on either of the three days from April 28 to 30 without fail to take up the persisting demand of the workers to re-start operations at the mills. The issue of the workers, who have been agitating ever since the management illegally resorted to lock-out a few couple of weeks ago, came up for review at a meeting held at the Office of the Deputy Commissioner on Thursday.
Deputy Commissioner N. Jayaram, Superintendent of Police B.R. Ravikanthe Gowda, Mahashakti Javali Karmikara Sangha president Bhimshi L. Jarkiholi and three officials of the Gokak Mills were present. The meeting was convened as the district administration came under pressure from the workers, angry over the death of a colleague, Kalappa Kadappa (42), following a suicide attempt during a protest right in front of Mr. Jayaram on April 13. He succumbed last Sunday.
Mr. Jayaram had promised the workers of convening a meeting to explore the possibilities of re-commencing operations at the Gokak Mills, a unit of Forbes Gokak .
During the discussion on the issue, Mr. Gowda did not find adequate substance in the request from mill management members for protection and advised them to sort out differences with the workers amicably. Mr. Jarkiholi, Mr. Jayaram and Mr. Bhimshi made it clear that the demand of workers to commence operations at the mills was genuine and the government stood to protect interest and rights of the workers.
In view of the management deputing “no voices” to attend the meeting, it was decided that at least one person from the management entrusted with powers to take decision on the spot must attend the meeting on either of the three days from April 28 to April 30 to take a collective and appropriate decision.
Monetary relief
Mr. Jayaram assured monetary relief to the widow and three children of Mr. Kalappa. Mr.Bhimshi said that the government should advise the management to provide a permanent job to the widow in the mill or the district administration could find a placement in any of the private or government institutions. However, if she was willing to work in Gokak town, she would be appointed in one of the institutions run by him, said Mr. Bhimshi.
