Rawale called on Rana today to press the demands of the textile workers in Maharashtra, particularly from the metropolis. There are a total number of 35 NTC mills in Maharashtra, while 13 of them are in the metropolis. Majority of the mills are sick and are facing closure owing to recession in the industry and failure of the Centre to modernise the units.

According to Rawale, Rana assured him that along with handing over the textile mills, the Centre was also prepared to grant permission for disposal of surplus land to generate funds for modernisation of the mills.

``Rana assured me that all the liabilities will be written off to protect the interest of the workers,'' Rawale added.

In his memorandum to Rana, Rawaledemanded that the ceiling on bonus paid to the workers of the NTC mills should be increased from Rs 3,500 to Rs 5,000 forthwith so that they are on par with workers in the other public sector undertakings in the country.

Secondly, Rawale said the Mill Owners Association has entered into an agreement with the Rashtriya Mill Mazdoor Sangh for grant of additional Rs 175. However, no such hike has been granted to the employees of the National Textile Corporation, Rawale demanded that all the workers in the textile industry should be treated on par.