A civil society body has threatened to embark on a dharna in the campus of the Collectorate on November 14  for an indefinite period in order to press  its demand for opening of two closed industries, the Birla Tyres and the Balasore Alloys.

The body observed that  these two major industrial units have been closed for  several months. As a result, hundreds of employees have lost their livelihoods. Some of them have turned street vendors now while a few others are working as daily labourers outside the State. When these employees are in dire straits, the burden of education and marriage  of their children has added to their woes.

Notably, in the 80s during the massive industrialisation in the district, several industries including Birla tyres and Balasore  Alloys  were established. They were exporting their products and earning huge profits. Yet, some of them became sick subsequently due to several factors  including inept management, labour union issues and failure on part of the district administration (Labour Department) to sort out several problems.

"Sadly after becoming sick for months, the two major industries, the Birla Tyres and Balasore Alloys have been closed. No one is  raising their voice seriously. Neither the people's representatives nor the State Government  has evinced  any interest  in opening  the units. From November 14  we will be sitting on dharana for an indefinite period till a positive assurance is received. We won’t relent unless we find something tangible,” said Bikram Panda, who headed the body, in a Press brief.