In a letter written on July 25 to the chairman-cum-managing director of the Tyre Corporation of India (TCI), an under secretary of the union government has communicated that the Tangra unit of the TCI would face closure from August 27. It has also been stated those who would not yet "take advantage" of the VRS facility, would be advised to "do so within fifteen days of the closure of the unit."

The decision to close the unit has apparently been taken because "there would not be any point in reviving the non-viable unit." The so-called "non-viable unit" provides employment to close to two hundred workers-employees and a project for its revival is already pending with the BIFR. Ironically enough, union industries minister had earlier assured CPI (M) MP Dipankar Mukherjee in the Rajya Sabha that revival of the factory was under active consideration.

The CITU has given a call for building up of a movement against any move by the union government to pull the shutters down at the Tangra unit of the TCI situated at the eastern fringes of the metropolis.

And as this report is filed, news comes that the Dunlop authorities have declared that the Sahagunj unit of the Dunlop factory will face closure soon. The workers and employees have been kept deprived of wages and emoluments for the past seven months. Despite the gates of the factory remaining cursorily open, no production work has been done since January this year. Another struggle for survival will no doubt have to be launched as the Dunlop’s and the TU’s workers are united in their resolve to foil the conspiratorial moves of the management.