The employees of the Basumati Corporation — the ailing state PSU — sat on a dharna on Wednesday against the state government’s decision to send notices to 19 employees of the press department directing them to resume work by October 7 lest their salaries be stopped.

Almost a month ago, the state government sent a notice to the corporation’s employees stating that it was withdrawing Early Retirement Scheme (ERS) that was announced in November 2008 and urged them to resume their duties. On October 5, the government took a stringent step by asking the 19 employees to start workimmediately.

“We had to take this stand because they remained recalcitrant. They have a Rs 24-lakh order from food department but the order is not being executed,” said Subesh Das, Principal Secretary, Department of Information and Culture, on Wednesday.

But the workers view this as a ploy to close down the company in phases.

“We are ready to work but there is no work,” Timir Mukherjee, convenor of Basumati Bachao Committee, told The Indian Express.

“Why only the printing press people have been singled out? The printing press alone cannot be activated. Other departments are also involved. It’s a ridiculous decision,” Mukherjee added.

The CITU, which is also opposing any move to close down the sick unit, said that it would oppose the government’s latest move. “We have informed our leadership against this draconian decision,” said Mihir Chakrabarty, leader of the workers’ union affiliated with CITU.