Pondy CM blames Bedi for AFT Mill closure

In an audio clip sent to media here, he said, according to the Vijayan Committee report which went into the issue of the AFT Mill, the “C” unit be made operational and for A and B units and for two other mills, a special committee be constituted and a decision as per the recommendation of the committee be taken. However, Bedi was adamant that the mill must be closed, he alleged.

A Cabinet decision was taken and a file was sent to the Lt Governor to make the “C” unit operational and to constitute a committee under the Chief Secretary to go into other issues. However, she forwarded the file to the Central government and in the meanwhile Bedi issued an order to close down the mill, he said.

Narayanasamy said that he had written to the Centre that the “C” unit of the AFT Mill be made functional and the workers who prefer VRS be paid by selling the Pattannur land owned by the mill. However, the Lt Governor without sending the file to him (CM) or Industries Minister Shajahan, issued order on her own to close down the mill. A letter opposing this move was sent to the Central government, he said, adding that the state government got rights to sell the lands here as per the Supreme Court Order in the Karaikal Port case and AFT case. However, Bedi without accepting this, forwarded the issue also to the Centre.