Sramika Shangha demands Vedanta's expansion plan

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Hiresh

23 November, 2010

Criticising the Central government's decision of stalling the expansion plan of Lanjigarh-based Vedanta Aluminium Limited, members of the Nirman Sramik Sangh sat on a protest and gave a memorandum to the district administration of Kalahandi.

HUNDREDS OF members from Nirman Sramika Shangha, Bishwanathpur staged a dharna (protest) and gave a memorandum to the district administration of Kalahandi at Bhawanipatna criticising Centre’s decision to halt the expansion plan of the Vedanta Aluminium Limited, Lanjigarh (VAL), which left them jobless.

“We can’t allow company to close, can you give alternative”, “Give industry, give employment”-such were the slogans of the hundreds of labours who are now in a helpless condition. According to the members of Nirman Sramika Shangha, thousands of workers were dependent on VAL directly and indirectly for their livelihood, but after the halt on the expansion project they are now helpless with no jobs and other income generating source.

Jilu Majhi, a member of Nirman Sramika Shangha said, “A lot of people used to migrate to other state for their livelihood earlier, but after the setting up of an aluminium refinery at our region we got jobs and other source of income. However, since four to five months our situation has worsened as the expansion project of the VAL has been stopped.”

“We want immediate resumption of VAL’s expansion plan which can give a lot of jobs for workers like us and other income generating source,” added Majhi.
Jilu Majhi was earlier used to protest industrialisation at his region, but changed his mind after realising the development work undertaken at the region.

The members of the organisation staged the demonstration before the office of the collector and gave a memorandum requesting not to halt VAL’s expansion plan that gives a lot of income generating sources in the region.

The members of Nirman Sramika Shangha also sent the same memorandum to the office of Prime Minister of India, Chief Minister of Orissa, Chief Justice of India, Ministry of Labour, Government of India and Revenue Divisional Commissioner.

Also present at the protest were Gopal Das, president Nirman Sramika Shangha; Gata Majhi and Patra Majhi.