RAJ KUMAR
Ranchi, Dec.24: As the strike of HEC workers for their due salary entered the 24th day and attempts of the HEC management to end the strike failed, the workers’ union and politicians have come together to find a way out.
This was reflected as representative of some of the workers’ union under the leadership of Khijri MLA Rajesh Kacchap constituted HEC Bachao Sangharsh Samiti and have planned to go to Delhi under the leadership of former union minister Subodh Kant Sahay for a dialogue with the heavy industry ministry in the matter.
The Samiti was constituted after a meeting at the residence of Kachhap, who was appointed convenor for his commitment to save the ‘mother of industries’.
The development took place after parliamentarian Geeta Koda already raised the issue in parliament and Ranchi MP Sanjay Seth accompanied by Palamu MP V.D Ram met union heavy industries secretary Arun Goyal, who so far failed to find out any way to sort out the problem despite meeting with the HEC management.
The HEC management also brought the matter into the knowledge of Governor Ramesh Bais requesting him to help sell 200 of 1000 acres surplus land of the HEC to end the financial crisis and bring the industry on the track.
Amid attempts at different levels to end the strike, Hatia Mazdoor Union (CITU) president, Bhawan Singh, warned workers against political interference in the matter.
“After the local MP failed, the former union minister started showing interest in the matter. If the former union minister is really interested he should ask the state government to provide Rs 100 crore as a loan. The former union minister can do so as the state government is running with the support of his party. The land is also a state matter. He can also find some way to sell HEC land with the help of the state government to get some money as during the rule of the previous government such an exercise had already been done. Instead of constituting HEC Bachao Sangharsh Samiti, a step should be taken to constitute Mazdoor Bachao Sangharsh Samiti. Once the labourers are saved it can ensure production worth Rs 160 crore in the coming three months and it will be of great help,” Singh said.
A worker said the management is offering a two-month salary but workers are not ready to accept. “They want a salary of three months at a time and then a wage of two months at a time from next month till clearance of dues,” a worker said.
