The NTPC power plant at Talcher

Angul, May 25: The state government has enforced the Orissa Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1988, prohibiting any sort of strike in the area.

The state home department has issued a notification to this effect on April 24 which was received by the district administration last week. The prohibition will be in force in Talcher for six months with effect from April 24, said an official.

“Because of locations of coal mines and power plants, the Talcher belt carries immense importance as the thermal plants run by the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) supply power to 15 states including Odisha. Any strike hampering coal production and supply to power plants harms the interest of the public,” said district collector Sachin Ramachandra Jadav.

However, the official said that the companies shout sit with displaced persons and local villagers and sort out their issues.

The notification said: “In the interest of public, it is necessary to prohibit strike in Mahanadi Coalfields Limited, areas in Talcher connected with the production and transportation of coal to Nalco, NTPC’s super thermal plant at Kaniha and Talcher thermal power station”. Talcher industrial belt, particularly coal mining areas, always witness frequent strikes and blockades by affected villagers over rehabilitation and resettlement issues, pollution and a host of other issues by various sections of the people.

In November last year, the coal belt witnessed a bloody battle between the supporters of private transport workers led by the then Independent MLA Braja Kishore Pradhan (now in BJD ) and other groups led by a local transport contractor.

They fought over the issue of retaining old workers in the new contract at the railway sidings No.7 and 8.Hundreds of vehicles and and several offices of the Mahanadi Coalfields Limited were burnt. Besides, operation in all the eight coal mines were paralysed, affecting coal supply to power plants. While Pradhan was arrested and jailed, the coal town was put under Section 144 of Cr PC for two days.

Reacting to enforcement of the Act, local leader Digamber Garnaik said: “It is regrettable that the Naveen Patnaik government who got massive mandate this time resorted to enforce the draconian law on the helpless people of Talcher who are at the receiving end. The people of Talcher will oppose this move tooth and nail.”