Deadlock between Pepsico & workers continue; farmers hit

CHANDIGARH: The impasse between workers and soft drink giant Pepsico India continues, with the management refusing to withdraw the suspension and termination of employees while workers stick to their protest against company's stance.

Although the District Administration has also been roped in to resolve the industrial dispute, nothing concrete has come out so far, official sources said. "We have held a series of talks with workers and management officials to resolve the issue at the earliest as closure of the plant is affecting potato growers and ancillary units very hard," Deputy Commissioner of Sangrur district, V K Ohri said on Friday.

Several potato growers and ancillary unit owners have met the Deputy Commissioner urging him to resolve the issue. Pepsico India, as a precautionary measure, has shut its plant in Sangrur since August 20 because of the industrial dispute and has shifted its production to 'Kukure' and other products to Pune and Kolkata.

However, the company has ruled out the possibility of shifting its plant from the state. Pepsico makes Frito-Lay brand of products, including Lay's potato chips, Lehar Kurkure and Namkeen(salty snacks).