MCC workers launch hunger strike, seek revival of Mancherial Cement Company

Workers of the sick Mancherial Cement Company began a week-long relay hunger strike, opposing the proposed auction of company assets and urging the government to intervene and revive the 67-year-old cement plant that has been shut for years

Mancherial: Workers from sick Mancherial Cement Company, formerly known as ACC, urged the government to revive the cement manufacturing unit.

The workers along with their family members launched a week-long relay hunger strike in front of the company main gate protesting against auctioning of assets belonging to the cement manufacturer here on Monday.

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The agitating workers regretted that their lives were thrown out of gear, following stoppage of production and retrenchment of employees by the management. They opined that land auction was illegal and wanted the government to intervene and prevent the move.

Recently, the Indian Bank issued notices to the management to auction its assets for failing to repay debts Rs 54.04 crore, on January 12. The auction will end a glorious history of the 67-year-old company, shattering hopes of workers who pinned many hopes on revival for quite a long time. The MCC has been on the brink of closure due to the financial crisis since 2000.

The MCC plant was established on a sprawling 350 acres of land abutting the Hyderabad-Nagpur highway in the district headquarters, using advanced German technology way back in 1958, with an installation capacity of 1,000 metric tonnes per day. However, performance of the plant suffered a significant dip in production due to outdated technology over a period of time.