Expressing concern over the closure of the Visa Steel at Kalinganagar, Sukinda MlA Priti Ranjan Ghadai on Tuesday said efforts should be made for reopening of the plant in the interest of its employees.
The Visa Steel was on Monday shut down by the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB), for not adhering to the pollution norms.
“Industries must look after the life and livelihood of its workers as well as people living in the periphery. Many people have donated their lands for industries and they do not have anything to survive. Visa Steel must comply with all the pollution control norms as prescribed by the OSPCB,” Ghadai said.
He also demanded that industries working in Kalinga Nagar must also take steps to provide drinking water to the local people.
Alleging that many mines owners were also flouting environment norms, the MlA said the OSPCB must take action against them.
Noted industrial worker leader Jyotirmaya Dhal said the closure of Visa Steel has pushed the fate of over 1,500 workers engaged in the plant into uncertainty.
“Over 1500 workers engaged in Visa Steel now look at a bleak future. The State Government and Visa Steel authorities must hold talks to solve the present crisis to restart the plant for the interest of the workers,” said Dhal.
“We sealed the steel plant on Monday alleging non-compliance with the provisions of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.Before closing the plant, we had issued the plant authorities notices twice to construct Effluent Treatment Plant (ETP). But the plant officials did not obey our orders for which we sealed the plant,” said Regional Officer of OSPCB in Kalinganagar, Anup Mallick had said on Monday.