324 Ghadai jr hits out at Kalinganagar steel plants

KENDRAPADA : Sukinda MLA and BJD leader Pritiranjan Ghadai demanded permanent jobs with proper salary for locals in the 12 steel companies and other firms of Kalinganagar and its neighbouring areas in Jajpur district.
Addressing the media at Kalinganagar on Tuesday, Ghadai said, "The steel companies acquired land in Sukinda on the condition that they will provide jobs to locals.Surprisingly, the companies after acquiring land ignored locals. Many land losers are yet to receive compensation too."
"We want that priority be accorded to locals in employment and reservation for technical posts in all 12 steel plants."
Ghadai said the steel plants were pursuing an anti-local policy in all appointments violating decisions of the Rehabilitation and Peripheral Development Advisory Committee. He alleged that the companies in Kalinganagar were giving priority to outsiders and non-Odias in jobs even though local youths have the desired qualification.
Many contract labourers engaged in construction works have been neglected by the companies, he said.
Taking potshots at the companies for pollution, the BJD leader said, "Unregulated use of water by industries is responsible for river pollution and water shortage in many villages and towns near the Bramhani and Kharasrota rivers in Jajpur district.
Chromites mine workers of Sukinda and its nearby areas are constantly exposed to contaminated dust and water resulting in gastro-intestinal bleeding, TB and asthma, he added. Pollution has also affected fertility among women, besides there has been an increase in the number of birth defects and still births, said Ghadei.
"All steel plants should carry out plantation drives to check pollution and spend 10% of the profit on peripheral development," he said.
He demanded a thorough investigation against steel plants and industrial units involved in polluting water resources and damaging crops.
"The industrial units in Kalinganagar are discharging polluted water containing hazardous chemicals into river. This pollutes the groundwater. Water has affected standing vegetable and paddy crops. Even the number of animal deaths have increased," he added.