Protests Erupt as Jajpur Steel Plant Workers Demand Jobs | Bhubaneswar News
Kendrapada: An indefinite protest by displaced persons and land losers near Neelachal Ispat Nigam Ltd (NINL) steel plant in Duburi, Jajpur district, entered its fourth day on Wednesday.
Protesters under the banner of Nilachal Bistapita Parivar have blocked the Danagadi-Duburi road since Sunday, demanding permanent employment with a proper salary at the plant, which was acquired by Tata Steel in July 2022. “State govt acquired 2,500 acres of land promising one job per affected family. They have betrayed us and now Tata Steel should give us jobs,” Narahari Mallick, a displaced person, said.
Mallick also alleged that police colluded with the plant officials and tried to forcefully remove the protesters.
A senior Tata Steel officer, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said many land losers have already been employed according to the resettlement and rehabilitation policy of 2002. “The plant requires highly skilled and technically competent manpower. Employment opportunities for lesser-skilled categories are limited to maintenance and support service contracts,” the officer added.
The officer further said that while many displaced persons received compensation and employment 30 years ago, their heirs are now demanding jobs following retirement or the death of their family members who worked at the plant. “The company has already paid due compensation to families of deceased and retired employees,” the officer said.
Additional district magistrate Sapan Kumar Nanda said authorities are talking to the agitators for lifting the blockade.
Meanwhile, prohibitory orders under Section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita have been imposed around the plant to maintain law and order.
Protesters under the banner of Nilachal Bistapita Parivar have blocked the Danagadi-Duburi road since Sunday, demanding permanent employment with a proper salary at the plant, which was acquired by Tata Steel in July 2022. “State govt acquired 2,500 acres of land promising one job per affected family. They have betrayed us and now Tata Steel should give us jobs,” Narahari Mallick, a displaced person, said.
Mallick also alleged that police colluded with the plant officials and tried to forcefully remove the protesters.
A senior Tata Steel officer, speaking on the condition of anonymity, said many land losers have already been employed according to the resettlement and rehabilitation policy of 2002. “The plant requires highly skilled and technically competent manpower. Employment opportunities for lesser-skilled categories are limited to maintenance and support service contracts,” the officer added.
The officer further said that while many displaced persons received compensation and employment 30 years ago, their heirs are now demanding jobs following retirement or the death of their family members who worked at the plant. “The company has already paid due compensation to families of deceased and retired employees,” the officer said.
Additional district magistrate Sapan Kumar Nanda said authorities are talking to the agitators for lifting the blockade.
Meanwhile, prohibitory orders under Section 163 of Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita have been imposed around the plant to maintain law and order.
