Puducherry: Delegates of different trade unions observed a token fast here on Thursday to push the demands of the textile mill workers in the Union Territory.

The fast, organised by the joint action committee of the trade unions of the government-owned AFT Mill, Sri Bharathi Mill and Swadeshi Cotton Mill, appealed to the administration to ensure that the next of kin of workers get employed in the them.

A release from I. Dinesh Ponniah, convener of the action committee, said that around 400 youths, who were trained as apprentices, were waiting for jobs.

The new machinery installed in the mills could also be fully operated with the help of these candidates as workers in the units.

Among those, who participated in the fast, were M. Ranganathan, R. Kanniappan and P. Parasuraman (all belonging to the All India Trade Union Congress), P. Lokanathan (Hindu Mazdoor Sabha), K. Mohandoss (Urimai Sangham) and G. Selvaraj (Javuli Thozilalar Sangam). The workers' heirs also participated.

Mr. Ponniah said that the management of the AFT Mill should fully utilise the funds provided by the Government to modernise its units so that there would be augmentation of production and enhancement of revenue.

He said that the Government had approved of a grant of Rs.104 crore for the AFT Mill for modernisation and only Rs. 21.5 crore had been spent so far.

The committee also wanted expeditious steps to bring the Sri Bharathi Mill and the Swadeshi Cotton Mill under the administrative control of the Pondicherry Textiles Corporation (PTC), which had been running the AFT Mill.

An apparel park should be set up on the premises of the Swadeshi Cotton Mill, as was contemplated by the Union Textile Ministry.

The AITUC general secretary V.S. Abishegam was among those who felicitated the trade union leaders and others observing the nine-hour fast.

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