It had to happen, no surprise.
Pratap Sarnaik, the local Shiv Sena MLA, says that the
retired Raymonds workers do not have money to pay school fees of their children
studying in Singhania’s school. He has demanded that the fees of 320 such
children should be waived. If this is not possible they should be given 50%
concession in fees. Such a concession was being given to the workers of
Raymonds, but since the workers have ceased to be employees, their children
will have to pay full fees. [See Loksatta Marathi July 8]
Raymonds group which is run by Singhania family closed down
the factories at Thane and have paid a hefty sum to workers for the golden handshake. Each worker has
paid Rs 40 Thousand to 60 Thousand to the union as donation. The union led by
Jitendra Joshi collected almost Rs 8 Cr by way of donations from the workers. It
is well known that more than one MLA and belonging to different parties played a role in ‘settling’
the matter of closure.
Do you really believe that workers who paid a donation of Rs
40 to 60 Thousand do not have money to pay children’s school fees? The answer [presumably]
is that the workers’ dues [about 70% of their total dues] will be paid over the
next three years.
Why isn’t then Sarnaik asking Jitendra Joshi to pay school
fees? [Incidentally he too has joined this bandwagon]. Or why is Sarnaik not paying it himself? After all Sarnaik had played a role in bringing about settlement. And why
did they structure such a bad deal for workers?
Newspapers reported recently that Raymonds will sell the factory land for Rs 2250 Cr. to builders. This about 8.5 times the
amount of workers’ dues – Rs. 263 Cr.
Sarnaik has warned that if his demand is not conceded by
July 15, then he will settle the matter in Shiv Sena style. In other words,
there is threat of violence or show of force at the gate an educational
institution.
For those who are not in the know, Singhania School is
undoubtedly the most renowned school in Thane which has given several doctors,
army colonels and IT managers to the country.
It is time MLAs learn a lesson or two. And perhaps the Government
can use the old method of teaching – use of a stick. But then it requires a
will to govern and that cannot be taught.
Read the original Raymonds story
here.
Vivek
Labels: Closure of Raymonds, Jitendra Joshi, Land deal, Pratap Sarnaik, Raymonds, Singhania School