KALIABOR, Sept 29 � At a time when several industries have already closed down and jobs of many employees slashed, the survival and progress of the Assam Co-operative Jute Mills Ltd at Silghat is undoubtedly significant. It was founded early in 1959 and registered under the Assam Co-operative Societies Act 1949 (Act of 1950) bearing its Registration No. 12 of 1959-60 dated October 23, 1959.
The then local MLA late Lila Kanta Bora, the founder chairman with the help and cooperation of Government of Assam founded this industry with a step forward towards industrialisation on the one hand and to solve the unemployment problem on the other hand.
As industry is the backbone of the economy of the State, the mill also proved the success of the cooperative movement in Assam.
After passing through various struggles and strenuous efforts, the mill was able to start commercial production from Jan 17, 1971 with its initial investment. Individuals and cooperative societies paid up shares of Rs 10.28 lakh. The State Government paid up a share of Rs 60 lakh and IFCI loan Rs 78.50 lakh, adding up to Rs 148.78 lakh. However, it was closed during 1984 due to some reasons but later opened as per a clause of the Assam Accord. Since then it has been marching towards progress.
At present the mill is running without any budgetary support from the Government. But it has been able to earn a reputation in respect of its proper management and quality production as a result of which the BIS has already certified it with IS/ISO 9001:2008 and IS/ISO 14001:2004 certificate. It has become the first mill to obtain 14001:2004 EMS certificate among all jute mills of India. The Department of Public Enterprise, Government of Assam, has also classified this industry under �A� grade among all the public sector industries.
The management has already paid revised pay scale to its employees since July, 2011 prescribed by the Public Enterprise Department, Govt of Assam for �A� grade industry. The management is also ready to pay maximum bonus of 20 per cent as per the Bonus Act on the basis of gross income of the last financial year to each employees.
The production of the last five years-2006-07 to 2010-11 is quite satisfactory. Average production has been achieved in respect of all items.
Similarly, the gross turnover and net-profit are getting better, year-wise. Besides, employees and staff pattern of the mill as on September 1, 2011 is � staff and officer-52, security personnel-15, permanent workers-442, temporary workers-78, �Bodli� workers-105 and extra casual workers-154.
Conscious public here have praised the sincerity and dedication of the employees and management for all-round progress and achievement of this premier industry in Assam and hoped it would continue its forward march.