Even after 58 years of establishment of the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP), many displaced families are still struggling to get their dues.
Peeved over the dilatory process, the displaced families’ association has of late threatened to launch a hunger strike in front of the Rourkela ADM office from the first week of June if its long pending demands are not addressed. Source said though many displaced persons were given compensation at the time of displacement for establishment of the RSP, but still there were a large numbers who were deprived of the same. In order get jobs, the deprived families have been agitating in different manners, including staging economic blockade, over last many years.
Considering the demands of their association on May 14, 2010, a notice was issued by the Rourkela ADM mentioning 146 names of 32 Mouzas as having been shortlisted to get jobs and inviting objection if any within 21 days.
As no objection was filed in the stipulated time, in a RPDAC meeting held on February 8, 2013, it was resolved to give early appointment to the shortlisted 146. Again on May 1 and 22, 2013, the Rourkela ADM gave two subsequent reminders to the CEO, RSP as no action was taken by the RSP in providing jobs to the selected persons. The negative attitude of the RSP disheartened the displaced persons who resorted to a hunger strike on December 17, 2013 in front of the ADM office demanding job. On December 24, 2013 the ADM personally came to the strike place and assured action by March, 2014. As a result, the strike was called off.
However, when the displaced persons contacted the ADM in March, the latter replied that since the code of conduct was in force, the appointment process would be delayed. Then on April 20 last, the ADM wrote another letter to the CEO, RSP and on April 22, the Collector, Sundargarh also wrote a letter to the Additional Chief Secretary to take necessary action in this regard. A delegation of the displaced persons met the Additional Chief Secretary and was assured that the matter would be taken up with the CEO, RSP soon. Then coming to Rourkela they met the ADM, Rourkela and were informed that all the documents had been handed over to the RSP personnel department for necessary action. But when they contacted the RSP personnel department, they were told that the process was on but whether the 146 shortlisted candidates or others would get job was not clear.