Despite uncertainties surrounding the fate of Britannia Industries Limited’s Kolkata plant, Amit Mitra, special advisor to the Chief Minister of West Bengal on finance, said the company assured him that it remained committed to the state and would build its business from strength to strength here.
The statement of Mitra came days after the FMCG major announced that all permanent workers at its Taratala factory in Kolkata accepted a voluntary retirement scheme (VRS), triggering speculation about a possible shutdown of the unit, one of the oldest in the country.
However, there was no word about manufacturing of the Taratala plant and its future.
At a press conference in Nabanna, Mitra claimed to have received a phone call from Managing Director (MD) of Britannia Varun Berry who is presently abroad.
“He (Varun Berry) has stated clearly that Britannia as a company is fully committed to West Bengal. From Bengal, Britannia’s business is to the tune of Rs 1000-1200 crore, one of the largest markets in India.”
Quoting the MD of the food major, Mitra further informed: “We want to build Britannia’s business from strength to strength in West Bengal. Registered office is in Kolkata and will remain in Kolkata. The shareholders meeting which happens in the city will continue to be held in Kolkata.” Mitra claimed that Berry told him that soon after the latter’s return to India he will come to the city and hold a meeting with the state government on further expansion of its business in Bengal.
Britannia has a plant in Taratala that dates back to 1947. It has been a hub for manufacturing, planning, logistics, and sales operations in the eastern region. Sources said, the food major across the country has been moving its manufacturing facilities away from city centres to locations near highways for more space and better logistics. Britannia is likely to set up a state-of-the-art plant in Durgapur.
PTI
