PINAKI MAJUMDAR
Jamshedpur, Aug 19: Automobile major Tata Motors will again see a one-day block closure on August 23. This will be the fourth block closure this month.
Earlier, the production was suspended as a part of block closure on August 9 and again on August 14 and August 16.
The company management vide a circular issued on Wednesday evening declared the block closure on August 23.
The production process will also remain shut on August 22, being Sunday which is a weekly holiday.
The Jamshedpur plant of the auto major produces heavy commercial vehicles – trucks, trailers, tippers, buses and other multi-axle vehicles.
The Jamshedpur plant also manufactures the World Truck which is popularly known by a brand name Tata Prima.
” The company will remain shut on August 23, as per an internal communication sent to its employees,” said a union official.
The employees have been asked to report for duty on August 24, Tuesday.
Insiders in the industry said that the automobile major had initially set a target of producing 10,000 vehicles this month. But, later it had to cut down the production target looking at the market conditions.
Whenever there is a block closure at Tata Motors, the production process at its ancillary units at Adityapur in adjoining Seraikela- Kharsawan district is also gets affected.
There are around 700-odd ancillary units at Adityapur industrial area.
The workmen affected by block closure shall avail their privilege or casual leave for 50 per cent of the day and for the remaining half of the period they shall be paid their normal wages/salary by the company.
Company sources said the block closure was aimed at preventing unnecessary build-up of inventory in the company as well as at dealers end.
The company had witnessed several block closures between May and July this year.
