In a momentous event on Monday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi facilitated the resolution of a long-standing issue by handing over a cheque of approximately Rs 224 crore to the workers of Hukumchand Mill in Indore. This significant step, conducted via video conferencing, marks the settlement of pending dues for the dedicated workforce.
Addressing the participants virtually, PM Modi expressed his congratulations on the occasion of ‘Good Governance Day’ and highlighted the distribution of cheques totaling Rs 224 crores. He assured the workers that this much-awaited financial relief would soon reach them, emphasizing that the people of Indore would remember December 25 as the day justice was delivered to the Hukumchand Mill workers.
The Prime Minister acknowledged the challenges faced by the workers and conveyed optimism for their brighter future. He attributed the success of the settlement program to the dreams and determination of the mill workers who had tirelessly fought a legal battle for their rightful dues since the closure of Hukumchand Mill in 1992.
The resolution was made possible through successful negotiations by the Madhya Pradesh government, leading to a comprehensive settlement package endorsed by all stakeholders, including the courts, labour unions, and the mill workers. The agreement involves the state government making upfront payments of all dues, acquiring the mill land, and transforming it into a mixed-use residential and commercial space.
In addition to the Hukumchand Mill settlement, PM Modi inaugurated the foundation stone laying ceremony for a 60 MW Solar Power Plant in villages Samraj and Ashukhedi of Khargone district. This initiative by the Indore Municipal Corporation, costing Rs 308 crore, aims to significantly reduce electricity bills by an estimated Rs 4 crore per month.
Remarkably, to fund the construction of the solar plant, Indore Municipal Corporation issued green bonds worth Rs 244 crore, making it the first urban body in the country to issue such bonds. Green bonds are debt instruments issued with a commitment to utilize the funds for climate or ecosystem-related activities. The response was overwhelming, with people from 29 states subscribing to these bonds, reaching a total value of approximately Rs 720 crore—triple the initial value issued. This achievement underscores the growing commitment towards sustainable and eco-friendly initiatives across the nation.
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