Paradip, July 6: Work at the Rs 29,000-crore oil refinery project near Paradip will resume tomorrow following an amicable settlement between the workers and the Indian Oil Corporation Limited (IOCL) authorities at a tripartite meeting.

The work had come to a halt on July 2 following a clash between a section of CISF personnel and labourers guarding the complex over the “unauthorised” entry of workers.

Authorities of the IOCL had been expressing their resentment at recurring lawlessness at the project and had blamed the state government for failing to curb the trend. The company claimed to have suffered losses to the tune of Rs 25 crore during the five-day agitation.

The district administration, after several rounds of discussions with the trade unions, today managed to broker a truce.

“The representatives of trade unions have agreed not to stop the project work any further,” said Jagatsinghpur collector Narayan Chandra Jena after the tri-partite meeting.

“The unions want disciplinary action against the CISF personnel who had opened fire at the labourers. Three CISF men have been shifted from the refinery site. Departmental proceedings would be initiated against them on the basis of an inquiry. The IOCL has agreed to pay ex-gratia ranging between Rs 50,000 and Rs 3 lakh to the wounded labourers on the basis of the severity of the injury.

Besides, the IOCL would issue gate entry passes to all bonafide labourers, workers, including those engaged in cargo loading and unloading work.

A core committee consisting of state government officials, IOCL and CISF personnel and trade unions has been constituted to look into areas of problem that is affecting the project work.

The committee would have its first sitting on July 10 to take stock of the situation,” said Surajit Das, additional district magistrate, Paradip.

“We are happy to note that the strike has been called off. The project has suffered a lot because of frequent disruption of work. If work moves in the right pace, the company will be able to meet the September 2013 deadline for the commissioning of the project,” M Vijaywargiya, executive director of the Paradip oil refinery project told The Telegraph.

“The trade unions have come up to protect the rights of workers and labourers. Our intention is not to disrupt the project work. We hope that the IOCL would keep its commitment to protect the labourers’ interest,” said Nirvaya Samantaray, vice-president of a local trade union.