Kalinganagar/Jajpur: “Decision of strategic disinvestment of 100% shares of Neelachal Ispat Nigam Ltd (NINL) adopted by both Central Govt. and State Govt. in Jan 2020, the plant has suspended its production of all units from Mar 2020. Since Feb 2020 the regular & contractual staffs of NINL have not been paid their salary. They are now living in midst of great financial hardship.” Employees including Land losers/ oustees declared a economic obstruction at Duburi Square( Natioanal highway nearer to plant site) and also informed to district administration.
On 18 Sep 2020 the staffs, displaced employees of NINL, their family members with children had called Dharna and closed Duburi Square from 8 AM to 3.00pm demanding payment of 7 months pending salary & immediate running of plant. At around 1.00 pm 02 nos employees have tried to self immolate themselves by inflammable substances. But they were captured by police personnel. Upon written promise from IIC Kalinganagar P.S, Addl SP Kalinganagar, Tahasildar, Sukinda for arranging a meeting involving Collector & DM, Jajpur for discussion of their demand within 7 days, strike was withdrawn at about 3 PM.
Shri Pritiranjan Gharai, MLA, Sukinda has written letter to Chief Secretary ,Odisha to take up the matter with MMTC for release of salary & arrears of the employee as early as possible.
If demand of long pending salary and resumption of plant production is not being met immediately, source said at any point of time law and order situation may aggravate. Further this is also requested by him for merger of NINL with any central public sector undertaking like SAIL/RINL/NMDC for its revival and up gradation.
