Rourkela, March 10: One of the trade unions of Rourkela Steel Plant has served a strike notice following the decision of Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) to deduct excess amount paid as house rent allowance from their salary.

This is being done at three units of SAIL including Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP), Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP), Dalli Rajhara mines.

An employee of the RSP said: "The excess amount was paid between 2005/06 and 2009/10. But the deduction was made from our February salary this year." Nihar Samal, a trade union leader, said: "The workers are feeling cheated and they demand justice."

However, an RSP public relations official said: "The salary was deducted following instruction from the higher authority. "

In a letter written on November 27, Union steel ministry under secretary Subrata K. Basu stated: "...compliance of recovery of the excess payment of house rent allowance made during the year 2005-06 to 2009-10 at BSP, RSP, Dalli Rajhara Mines." The letter terms the payment as "excess and irregular payment of house rent allowance in violation of Department of Public Enterprises guideline."

Rourkela Shramik Sangh president Prasant Behera said: "This indicates what is in store for the workers here. Over 32,000 workers will face deduction of Rs 12,000 to Rs 25,000. We were getting 15 per cent house rent allowance and now we will get 10 per cent.

Regional labour commissioner B.R. Khemundu said: "I have invited the union members for discussion on March 16."