BJD workers picket Nalco refinery

Hundreds of BJD members and workers under the aegis of Nalco Surakhya Samiti (NSS) on Monday picketed the Nalco refinery unit at Damanjodi, protesting the Centre’s decision to hive off a part of the Navratna PSU.

 Earlier on Saturday, NSS was formed bringing together workers of 10 trade unions and four employees’ unions of the company’s refinery unit. Recently, the Union Cabinet Committee on Disinvestment had decided to hive off 12.5 per cent of the government’s stake in Nalco.  Later at a public meeting near the refinery, Koraput MP Jayaram Pangi threatened to stop bauxite mining from Panchabat Mali hill and its supply to the refinery complex unless it revoked its decision of divestment in Nalco. “We will not allow disinvestment in Nalco at any cost. The protest would continue till the Centre agrees to our demand,” added Pangi.

Speaking on the occasion, Koraput MLA Raghuram Padal accused the Centre of having nexus with corporate houses and termed its  decision as ‘betrayal’ to the nation.

Earlier in the morning, hundreds of BJD workers staged a demonstration here.

State Biju Yuva Janata Dal president Sanjay Dasburma said Nalco had been earning good dividend to the Centre due to the dedication of its workers and such a decision would only hamper their interest. Among others, Nabaranapur and Gunupur MLAs Manohari Randhari and Rammurty Mutika respectively, BJD general secretary Narendra Kumar Swain and members of Zilla Parishads of Koraput, Malkangiri, Rayagada and Nabarangpur participated.