Will release Rs 361 cr in dues to HMT employees, says Union Minister HD Kumaraswamy

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Union Minister for Heavy Industries, Steel and Public Enterprises HD Kumaraswamy promised current and retired employees of Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) that their dues would be released at the earliest. Kumaraswamy pointed out that the dues of Rs 361 crore were pending. Meanwhile, retired HMT employees said that each of them were awaiting dues of anywhere between Rs 30 lakh to Rs 40 lakh. They said that the dues included unpaid salaries, gratuity, provident fund, and other pending benefits.

“We will explore solutions to clear the Rs 361 crore pending dues owed to employees. I will discuss this matter with senior officials in the ministry and ensure it is addressed,” Kumaraswamy said. “Reviving HMT is one challenge, but ensuring the settlement of dues for both retired and current employees is another. I assure you of my sincere efforts in resolving these matters,” he added.

Kumaraswamy said that there was a concerted effort to revive Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) under the current National Democratic Alliance (NDA) Union government. The employees also urged Kumaraswamy to ensure HMT isn’t closed. They added that if the company’s closure became inevitable, then it should be merged with other PSUs like Bharat Heavy Electricals Limited (BHEL), Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) or Bharat Earth Movers Limited (BEML) so as to ensure alternative employment opportunities to the HMT workforce.