Tata Steel Ltd.

Tata Steel has recommenced construction work at its project site in Kalinganagar in Jajpur district, as local villagers withdrew the dharna after agitation for two days demanding jobs in the project. The annoyed villagers had locked the entrance gates of the Kalinganagar plant on September 26 and 27, thereby blocking entry of vehicles and other staffs to the plant area.

The company had agreed to offer jobs to one person of each displaced family as per the resettlement and rehabilitation policy of the government. It had considered persons who had attained 18 years age by January 2005 as a separate family and had promised them jobs. The local villagers, some of whom are already engaged as contractual laborers by contractors in the construction work, had concerns about getting permanent jobs in the project.  The company is assuring them that once the plant starts functioning, it will provide employment.