The age-old IDCOl ferrochrome plant at Jajpur Road should either be handed over to SAIl for its survival and expansion or the State Government should direct the OMC to supply chrome ore to the plant at subsidised rates, demanded Ferrochrome Mazdoor Sangha in a memorandum to the Chief Minister and other high dignitaries. local MlA Preeti Ranjan Ghadai is president of the trade union.
The Ferrochrome plant was constructed in 1969 when Biju Patnaik was the first Chief Minister under the Industrial Development Corporation of Odisha. The plant had been given its own chrome ore mines at Sukinda named Tailangi.
But at present, due to non availability of required grade of chrome ore from its captive mine, the unit is now forced to procure chrome ore from the Odisha Mining Corporation (OMC) at market price, which has made its operation uneconomical.
Due to ore problem, one of its two furnaces has been shutdown since August last. The plant is presently passing through a severe financial crises and its survival is at a stake.
The operation of proposed quarry number 3 at its captive mine has got delayed due to procedural and statutory constraints and may take a substantial time on account of eviction of about 70 families and their rehabilitation and resettlement.
It is also known that the State Government has floated a sale deed advertisement. Now about 1,500 families are dependent on the plant with direct and indirect employment.
Besides MlA Ghadai, Sangh general secretary Md Tayab, vice president Sunil Kumar Pati, secretary Ishak Khan, treasurer Kamala lochan Nayak and many others in the memorandum to the State Industry Minister, the Chief Secretary, the Principal Secretary, the Chairman and MD, IDCOl have underscored the need for the survival of the plant.
They have demanded that the third mine of Tailangi be opened immediately for ensuring hassle free sourcing of raw material to the plant.