Work resumes at Tata plant

The construction work of the Tata Steel's ferrochrome plant near Gopalpur in Ganjam district has resumed from Wednesday after the striking contractual trainee workers called off their agitation.

The constriction work of the 55,000 tonne per annum (tpa) capacity ferrochrome plant was stalled since July 10 when 46 trainee workers belonging to local area launched an agitation demanding permanent jobs in the project. They were working in the plant under a contractor engaged by the steel major.

"We have called off the strike and joined the duty when district administration assured us that the company would pay an extra Rs 2,000 per month, which will be deposited in employment provident fund (EPF)," said B Mohan Reddy, an agitating worker. The local youths belonging to the project affected families were trained by Tata Steel in 1996.