KOLKATA: A visibly perturbed state government on Monday assured industrialists that what happened at Northbrook Jute Mill will not be repeated. The industry core committee meeting on Monday started with chief minister Mamata Banerjee observing two-minutes' silence in respect of the jute mill CEO who was brutally murdered by the workers on Sunday.

Later, N G Khaitan, vice president of Bharat Chamber of Commerce , raised the issue during the meeting. "One of the largest industrial units shifted their base from Kolkata in 1969 after their CEO was thrashed and beaten. The government has to ensure such things don't happen again," he said.

"We have already arrested six persons in the case. It is very unfortunate and I can assure you that such elements will not be successful. We will not let it happen again," Mamata told the industrialists.

After the ghastly incident at the Northbrook Jute Mill, industry captains have been specifically pointing out at multiplicity of political parties leading to trouble inside the factories. When asked about the industry reaction, state labour minister Purnendu Basu said, "So far we have not received any such complaint from any industry. It is true that a section of miscreants is trying to get entry into factories through unions. We can take step if we receive specific complaints," he said.

But the truth seems to be something else. According to Prakash Choraria, owner of the Northbrook Jute Mill, he had earlier informed the administration about trouble created within the factory premise by the outsiders. "We hope this time the government takes a stern step," he said. "We have been facing the trouble with smaller factions of unions for long. There are certain outsiders who try to catch hold of a few employees and arm twist the management. The problem is, if there are two-three unions we can control them. If the factions start mushrooming, the situation goes out of control," he said.

Sensing the trouble brewing at the industries over multiplicity of unions, the state government has started looking into putting a cap on the number of unions. State's industries minister Amit Mitra has already submitted a primary report to the chief minister on Monday. Purnendu Basu is meeting INTTUC leaders on Tuesday to discuss issues related to jute mills. According to sources, chief minister Mamata Banerjee has sought a report from the DMs of the districts which have jute mills.

Meanwhile, Indian Jute Mill Association, a nodal agency of the jute mill owners, has decided to pursue with the government the issue of pending FIRs against such incidents. "Intra-union rivalry is one of the main reasons for the disputes. There are a large number of FIRs pending against miscreants who have tried to create disturbances inside factory premises through unions. Such acts can be curbed only if administration takes steps against such complaints," said Raghav Gupta, secretary of IJMA.

"The only way to control mushrooming trade unions is allowing registered trade unions only. If we can put a cap on that, the situation can be brought under control," Basu said.

