Several companies like Aarti Steel, Bhubaneswar Power, Ultratech Cement, Shree Cement, JK Laxmi Cement, TS Alloys, Viraj Steel, Utkal Galvanisers and Kamma Re-rollers had urged the Athagarh administration for permission to run their factories during the lockdown period.
Accordingly, Athagarh Sub-Collector Ajambar Mohanty convened a meeting on Wednesday. Company representatives, IICs like Suchitrabirya Das of Khuntuni PS and Bijaya Kumar Bisi of Gurudijhatia PS, people's representatives and media persons attended the meeting.
At the outset, some Mediapersons criticised Aarti Steel for running the plant in deviation of lockdown norms. Social distancing was not maintained and employees did not wash hands regularly.
Some others said that most of the companies use the land, jungle, water of Athagarh but, in return, make the environment polluted and don't engage adequate locals in the plants directly. Even many are not taking up CSR activities in their periphery.
Gurudijhatia PS IIC Bisi said that no doubt the Government has made the guidelines for running the plants but it is doubtful whether they would adhere to these norms. At this juncture, Sub-Collector Mohanty told the company representatives to come with masterplans in compliance with Covid-19 guidelines to run their units within three days.
He said a ground survey local would be conducted subsequently to decide permission of running of the plants.