Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) has
reopened its troubled Manesar plant
amid heavy security, a month after a lockout was declared due to the violence at the unit that left a senior company official dead and 100 others injured.
Initially, about 150 cars are expected to be rolled out every day instead of the plant's normal capacity of 1,500-1,700 units. Production will be gradually ramped up at the plant, which has an
annual capacity of 5.5 lakh units.
Workers were seen to be standing outside the factory gate in a queue despite heavy rain, ready to begin the day's work.
Haryana Police has provided 500 personnel, of which 200 are stationed inside the plant and 300 in areas around the facility.
Besides, MSI has also formed its own special force numbering 100, which includes ex-service men.
The company had earlier announced that only 300 permanent workers will resume work. MSI Chief Operating Officer (Administration) S Y Siddiqui had said on Monday that the
workers would operate just a single shift from 8 am to 4:30 pm.
MSI had declared a lockout at Manesar plant on July 21 following the
worst-ever violence in its history on July 18.
The plant suffered damages estimated to be near Rs 10 crore, while the overall production loss during the lockout was pegged at around Rs 1,400 crore.
MSI has also decided to
terminate services of 500 permanent workers, who were allegedly found to be involved in violence inside the plant. Besides, MSI is also said to be planning to remove another 500 contract workers over their alleged role in the violence and arson.
Prior to the incident, the plant had an employee strength of 3,300, of which 1,528 were permanent.
To increase the workforce, the company will start fresh recruitment of permanent workers from September 2 and existing contract workers will also be considered for the same.
With inputs from PTI
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