Agitation against termination of power project workers continues

The ongoing agitation of workers against the Om Power Project authorities in Palampur town has entered the tenth day. The Om Power Project Employees Union, affiliated to Centre for Indian Trade Union (CITU), is up in arms against the power project authorities over the termination of 22 workers by the management.

The ongoing agitation of workers against the Om Power Project authorities in Palampur town has entered the tenth day. The Om Power Project Employees Union, affiliated to Centre for Indian Trade Union (CITU), is up in arms against the power project authorities over the termination of 22 workers by the management.

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Bittoo Thakur, district CITU president, alleged that the power project authorities terminated the services of these workers without giving any valid reason.

“Half a dozen workers among them belong to those families whose land was acquired for the power project,” alleged Thakur.

He also accused the government of being unresponsive on the issue. “The government has failed to safeguard the rights and interests of labourers despite several memorandums submitted to the chief minister and the local administration”, he said.

He said the no action has been taken against the power project management for non-implementation of labour laws.

The construction on the project site remained suspended as no worker reported for duty. The execution and power generation was also affected.

Meanwhile, local villagers and members of the District Gaddi Union also joined the agitation. The labourers, who are sitting on a chain hunger strike outside the sub-divisional magistrate (SDM) office in Palampur, have threatened to intensify the stir and continue the protest until the services of terminated workers are restored.

Power project officials could not be reached for their reaction.