Keonjhar(Rasananda Behera) Mar 20 : In a heartfelt appeal to the Ministry of Steel and Heavy Industries, Ananta Nayak, Member of Parliament from Keonjhar Constituency, has written to Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, highlighting the dire financial plight of employees of the Odisha Minerals Development Company (OMDC). The letter sheds light on the prolonged non-payment of salaries, which has left many employees, particularly those from tribal communities, in severe financial distress. OMDC, a subsidiary of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL), has faced operational challenges for years. Despite its historical significance as one of the oldest Central Public Sector undertakings in the mining sector, the company has struggled to maintain consistent operations. While the Bhadrasahi Iron Ore Mine resumed activity in 2024 and the Belkundi mines are expected to follow suit soon, the financial hardships of employees remain unaddressed. Adding to the woes, the sponge plant at Thakurani, Keonjhar, has been non-operational since 2013, further destabilizing the corporation’s financial health. The situation has led to continuous protests and a two-month-long strike by employees, underscoring the urgency of the matter.
In a recent meeting held at the office of Minister H.D. Kumaraswamy, BJP Keonjhar District Secretary-cum-MP Representative for Barbil Municipality, Nilamani Mahanta, played a pivotal role in addressing the OMDC issues. As the advisor of OMDC Karmachari Sangha, Mahanta, along with MP Ananta Nayak, engaged in extensive discussions about the challenges faced by OMDC employees. Mahanta emphasized the need for immediate action to resolve the employees’ grievances and ensure the smooth functioning of the organization.
In his letter, MP Nayak has urged the Ministry to take immediate steps to disburse pending salaries, resolve operational bottlenecks, and provide relief measures to alleviate the employees’ hardships. He emphasized the need for swift intervention to safeguard the livelihoods of the affected workers and restore stability within the organization. The appeal, coupled with the active involvement of Nilamani Mahanta, highlights the critical need for government action to address the grievances of OMDC employees and ensure justice for those who have been enduring prolonged financial instability.
