Two-wheeler major Bajaj Auto said it did not want to shut down its Akurdi plant and had no intention to use the Akurdi land for any purpose other than the company's automotives business.
In a statement issued late on Monday afternoon, Bajaj Auto managing director Rajiv Bajaj said, "The Akurdi plant has not (been) and is not being shut down. All 1,310 staff as also approximately 847 workmen are reporting to work six days a week as per their normal routine. Bajaj has neither internally discussed nor ever externally applied for approval for the use of its land at Akurdi for any purpose other than that of its automotive business."
Bajaj said the clarifications were being issued since certain officials were continuing to insist that they would not allow Bajaj to shut down its plant, and/or to conduct any alternative business upon this site.
"It is not our intention to cast any aspersion upon such individuals. However, we cannot allow them to malign us by repeatedly insinuating that we had ulterior motives ... (about the use of the land)," Bajaj stressed.
The statement added that the management would continue to be in dialogue with the workers' union to ensure that all legitimate interests of its workmen were taken care of.
"It is the least that we can do in return for their exemplary service to Bajaj," it said.
