Decision on Orind in a week

BHUBANESWAR: The State Government took seven days to study all the outstanding issues related to the Orind’s unit at Lathikata in Sundargarh district before taking a decision on the future of the plant as well as the workers who are on a strike demanding payment of their outstanding dues. Chief Secretary Bijay Kumar Patnaik on Wednesday presided over a meeting of all the stakeholders where it was decided that the Government will convene a meeting again after a week to discuss the issues and take a decision. Bisnu Mohanty of the CITU-led union Orind Employees’ Association said the workers will wait for seven days in view of the assurance given by the Chief Secretary. The agitation will continue in a peaceful manner, he said. Representatives of the employees demanded  State Government’s initiative and ensure that Orind paid all the dues to  the workers, including 15 months salary of Rs. 35.25 crore. Besides, they demanded measures by the State Government on the auction notices of the banks and dropping of all cases against the workers.  The Chief Secretary said a decision would be taken after examining all the issues within seven days and added that the Government’s priority would be payment of outstanding dues to the workers. Among others, Bisnu Mohanty of Orind Employees’ Association, Prabhat Misra of Lathikata Mazdoor Union, Bidyadhar Barik of Lathikata Shramik Sangha, Raghunathpalli MLA Subrat Tarai, former managing director of Orind group KP Jhunjhunwala and senior officials attended the meeting.