Political situation became tense as Union Minister Dharmedra Pradhan attended several programmes at his home town Talcher, when normal life was paralysed due to an economic blockade led by BJD MlA Brajakishore Pradhan.
The Union Minister attended the programmes with heavy police protection. The review meeting of the Minister, which was scheduled at CGM, Jagarnath Office of MCl, was shifted to MCl guest house , as the office was locked by the demonstrators. Neither the administration nor the MCl authority dared to open the gate of the CGM office for the review meeting.
Minister Pradhan, while reviewed the work of the MCl on employment, compensation, and CSR works, the members of Talcher Vikash Manch demonstrated against the MCl authorities a few meters away from the guest house and demanded implementation of R& R Policy -2006. Heavy police forces were deployed to avoid clash between agitators and Pradhan’s group.
Operation, production and transportation of coal from all the 10 coal mines of MCl at Talcher have completely stopped due to the 48-hour economic blockade called by the Manch. Coal transportation from MCl to NTPC, TTPS and Nalco plants have been stopped as Manch members blocked roads and rail tracks at different places.
The impact of the blockade has also affected normal life as schools, colleges, Government and private offices and business houses have remained closed.
The Manch observed the blockade to press for its 12-point charter of demands. The major demands include renovation of the FCI plant, establishment of a Coal Corridor and two-laning of Talcher-Hingula Mandir road. The MCl incurred heavy loss due to economic blockade.