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Future of Balco hangs in balance

As the Centre and the Chhatisgarh government are locked in a fierce confrontation over the privatisation of public sector Balco and the indefinite strike by workers continued for the fifth day Wednesday, the future of the 100,000 tonne per year aluminium plant hangs in balance.

Ever since the plant was virtually shut down on Saturday when the 6000 strong workforce launched indefinite strike, the focus of concern has been the cell house of the plant comprising about 700 pots.

The workers, united under the banner of Balco Bachao Sanyukta Abhiyan Samiti (BBSAS), appear determined to continue the strike till their demands for revocation of the government deal with private sector Sterlite group is met. But they are also keen to ensure that the cell house, the lifeline of the plant, does not go cold.

Leaders of the BBSAC, who went into the plant last night to discuss the cell house situation with Balco officials, even offered to provide manpower to keep the pots in ''good condition'' in the plant.

The pots parts, which are kept operational all the time for aluminium production, can go cold if no production takes place, senior officials, now staying round the clock inside the plant, said.

''As there has been no production since Saturday, the pots face the danger of going cold. To revive them will take minimum period of 15 days and to commence production, it will require about two months,'' said A W Deoras, G M (works).

However, M K Razak, secretary of the BBSAS, discounted any fear of the pots going dead. "They will not go cold in at least 10 days. But we will make all efforts to keep them alive in spite of the strike," he said.

He said the core committee of BBSAS in which seven trade unions, including the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), are represented was in favour of providing manpower to the authorities to maintain the pots. "They (the authorities) have asked for about 60 people and we agree on this on principle," he said.

Local BJP MLA Namkiram Kanwar, who sought the help of the district administration for protection for some workers, provided a new angle to the drama.

"We received his letter in this regard and will be ready to provide police protection to any worker if he wanted to go into the plant," superintendent of police told reporters in the morning.

Katturi said though the situation till now had been peaceful, the district administration had sought reinforcements from other districts. "We are prepared to face any situation," the SP said.

Meanwhile, District Collector K D P Rao said the Korba administration would be sending fresh notices to the Balco management within two to three days drawing attention to "encroachment" of government land by the company.

The company had acquired about 700 acres of land to construct the township, he said.

SEE ALSO:
Shourie asks CAG to conduct audit in Balco transaction
Striking Balco employees offer help to keep the plant alive
BJP government warns Jogi on Balco

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