Terminated TPCODL workers stage protest at Puri Bada Danda, seek justice

Tata Power Central Odisha Distribution Limited (TPCODL) has reportedly terminated some employees, from service, triggering protest in Puri on Saturday. Around 220 employees, working in the central zone, were terminated from November 1 this year.

Following the dismissals, the concerned employee staged a protest at Bada Danda in Puri, drawing the attention of locals and passersby. In a novel protest, they prayed to Lord Jagannath and lightened lamps in front of Srimandir.

"We have been serving the Energy Department as contractual workers for more than last 15 years. We have given our full time and energy to the department. Even we neglected our family to serve the department when Tata took over. We were providing continuous service in the front desk by working as cashier-cum-customer care executives. We were dealing many works including customer grievances. To whom will we approach for this kind of situation? After working around for 13-15 years, we don't have age on our side to work anywhere else. The situation forced us to sit in 'Bada Danda'. We wrote letters and tweets to the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and the Energy Minister, but nothing happened. When we didn't get any response from anywhere, we have surrendered before Lord Jagannath. We demand justice for our family. We request the Chief Minister to give us justice. If justice is not provided us, we will take the extreme steps of suicide instead of dying out of hunger. We got helpless and were forced to surrender before the Lord," said a protestor.

 "We don't know what are our mistakes. We have established consumer grievances and online promotions. Though the government is harping on Odia Asmita, we have been humiliated on Odisha soil. It is a matter of great sorrow for us," he added. 

"I have been working in the Energy Department for the last 12-15 years. However, I have been terminated by TPCODL from November 1, 2025 without any reason and fault. Though we were working from morning to evening by leaving our children at home, we were terminated. What was our fault. Why we were terminated? Though we have tweeted about our problems to the Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister and the Energy Minister, nothing has been done. As a last resort, we have surrendered before Lord Jagannath. If no steps will be taken, we will be forced to commit suicide here," said another protestor.