Normalcy restored in NTPC Farkka unit as Bengal govt intervenes

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Allaying concern over possible power shortage in eastern India due to labour issues at NTPC 's Farakka unit in West Bengal, the state-owned power major today said normalcy has restored in the plant after state administration's intervention.

There was wide-spread concern over acute power shortage after recently the regional office of NTPC had shot letters to states of West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand governments, saying the power generation may get affected and it may have to shut down few units due to labour unrest.

"There was a meeting with the state administration yesterday. There was a problem with a section of contractual workers. But, Normalcy has restored now," said a spokesperson of NTPC, Farakka.

According to NTPC, there had been tension in the plant following undue demands of a section of its about 3000 contract workers of the plant.

Sources suggest, it started last moth following death of a worker. A group of workers protested and gheraoed management. Following this, NTPC mangaement agreed to pay a sum of Rs 400,000 to the the family deceased. Enthused by this, the group of cotractual workers, which NTPC claimed to be a non-recognised group, started agitation demanding incremental salary and other benefits, affecting the power generation in the facility.

After NTPC served notices to West Bengal, Bihar and Jharkhand governments saying it will be forced to shut Farraka thermal power plant if law and order situation is not maintained at the facility, West Bengal power department took note of the issue and instructed the local administration to smooth functioning at the plant. Several agitating leaders of the workers' group were also arrested, However, they were released later on bail by a local court.

NTPC Farraka currently generates about 1600 Mw depending on demand, of which about 500 Mw comes to West Bengal and rest is distributed among Bihar and Jharkhand. It has a installed capacity of 2100 Mw.