Question : CLOSURE OF HMT UNITS

(a) the number of units of Hindustan Machine Tools Limited closed down so far, or revived during the last three years;

(b) the number of employees who have opted for Voluntary Retirement Scheme;

(c) the number of cases of VRS settled so far and number of cases pending with the Government for settlement;

(d) whether the Government have any plan to train the workers of HMT in other trade, who are left idle after closure of its units; and

(e) if so, the broad strategy chalked out by the Government in this regard?

MINISTER OF HEAVY INDUSTRIES AND PUBLIC ENTERPRISES (SHRI MANOHAR JOSHI)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

STATEMENT

STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.125 FOR ANSWER ON 02.03.2001 REGARDING CLOSURE OF HMT UNITS.

(a) The turnaround plan approved by the Government involves cash infusion and financial & organizational restructuring of HMT. It also involves closure of its five perennially loss making, unviable units. Four of the unviable units have so far been closed.

(b) & (c): 4432 employees have taken VRS in the last three years. 241 applications are pending with the company.

(d) & (e): The company has redeployed some of the workers from the units which were to be closed and they are being trained in new trades.