The ruling All India NR Congress (AINRC) questioned the Congress on its failure to modernise the State-run Anglo-French Textile Mills during its tenure.
In a statement B Satyaseelan, president of NR Congress Trade Union of AFT, said the Congress government led by V Vaithilingam, which assumed power in September 2008 had not approached the Centre for funds to modernise the mill and run it profitably.
Further, Vaithilingam had ordered the closure of A unit of AFT Mills and discontinued all operations through a government order issued on February 25, 2010, after taking a cabinet decision on February 4, 2010. The government had also introduced a new voluntary scheme for all workers and staff in A unit with a maximum ex-gratia payment of `4 lakh, he said.
Meanwhile, leader of opposition and former CM V Vaithilingam said though the order was issued, it was not implemented. The government ran the mill for one more year and paid the workers. On the current stance taken by the government, Vaithilingam wondered why the mill need to be closed when the workers changed their stance and are ready to work.
The Central government used to issue circulars to convert defunct mills into other profitable means and just a reply to the circular was needed, he said.