Factory owners blame Naxals and lack of raw material for unemployment

07 October, 2012

Employers in Purulia district of West Bengal have demanded assistance from the state government in order to create more employment opportunities for the locals residing in the rebel hotbed.

SPEAKING TO reporters, a factory owner said that the government aid would contribute towards the development of the region, as it would strengthen economy as well as solve the problem of unemployment to some extent.

“Presently we have employed around 100 workers but we are not able to provide employment for complete 365 days. But if government helps us then we can pay them for 250 days and increase the workers to 250,” factory owner Pradip Pattanayak, said.

He added that he also has the capacity to increase the number of workers and pay them, but due to lack of raw materials he had to close down the factory.

Not only this, most employers are afraid of setting up factories in the area due to Maoist threats. Recently, Maoists have threatened construction companies to stall developmental activities, triggering panic among locals and causing inconvenience to them.

Thakurmoni Hansda, a female worker, urged the state government to open more such factories. “ We don't have any other work except this, so this is our main job. Our salary is too less and we want more money along with more industries in Purulia,” Hansda said.

Purulia is also known for Naxals, the rebels who have fought for decades in central and eastern India, including many resource rich regions. The government calls them India's main internal security threat and an obstacle for creation of more jobs in the country, reported ANI.