TV
Accusing Tata Power of ‘anti-Odia and anti-Odisha’ rules, hundreds of workers under the Odisha Electricity Workers’ Association continued their indefinite strike in front of the Superintending Engineer of the Tata Power Southern Odisha Distribution Limited (TPSODL), Jeypore Circle, Koraput on Wednesday.
The protesters alleged ‘dictatorship rule’ by the distribution company’s (discom) management. While employees from Bihar and Maharashtra were hired for Rs 22L package, Odia youths are made to toil day and night for a meagre Rs 10K per month, the protesters alleged.
“We will continue with our indefinite strike until all our demands are fulfilled. Our protest will further intensify as we are against this anti-Odia and anti-Odisha rule by Tata Power. The BJP government in Odisha came to power to preserve ‘Odia Asmita’ but the truth is that Odia youths are not safe here and there are no jobs for them,” alleged a protester.
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He further added, “People from Maharashtra and Bihar are brought here and paid Rs 22L package. But, Odia youths are made to toil day and night for Rs 10K monthly salary. They are not even increasing our salary and also depriving us of our basic rights. They are removing people from jobs without any explanation. Tata Management will be responsible if the agitation turns into a violent protest in the coming days.”
Likewise, another protestor said, “Tata Power is making dictatorship rule. Many employees have been fired without any explanation. So, we are sitting in a protest demanding their re-engagement in the job. Our fight will continue until Tata power stops its dictatorship rule and stops firing employees for silly reasons.”
“This strike is a fight for respect, fight for self-respect, and fight for livelihood,” he added.
Similarly, another protester said, “We will brave the chilling cold, but we will not give up until our demands are fulfilled. They should give us in writing that they will re-engage all the employees that were fired by the company.”
“We will do overtime and ensure that the consumers do not face any problems. But, our protest will continue,” he added.
