The Jharkhand unit of the Indian National Trade Union Congress (INTUC) accused BGR Mines, the MDO company of NTPC Mining Ltd., of failing to address issues related to workers, raiyats and displaced families in the Keredari area. INTUC state spokesperson Surjeet Nagwala said the union would start a agitation and could call for a lockout at the project if the alleged irregularities were not addressed.
At a press conference at the Circuit House, Nagwala alleged that several workers at BGR Mines had not been upgraded to the skilled category even after three years, despite being assigned skilled work. He also questioned the wages paid to LMV drivers, claiming that even after approval from the NTPC, the revised wages had not been implemented. According to the union, drivers were being paid Rs. 541, Rs. 568 and Rs. 638, while being denied the HPC wage structure.
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Blasting and Local Safety Became Key Concerns
INTUC also raised concerns over high capacity blasting at the mine. The union claimed that repeated blasting and vibrations had caused cracks in houses in nearby affected villages and that dust pollution was creating health concerns for local residents. It also alleged that local workers were losing four to five days’ wages, while workers staying at company camps were being paid for 30 to 31 days. The union further claimed that adequate bathrooms and safety equipment were not available for local workers.
INTUC Demanded Probe Into CSR and Welfare Spending
The union demanded a high level inquiry into the use of BGR Mines’ CSR funds, workers’ wages and welfare schemes. It sought investigation by agencies such as the National Investigation Agency (NIA) and Anti-Corruption Bureau (ACB). INTUC also opposed the notification for the NTPC Chatti Bariatu South coal project, claiming that it could affect 11 villages. The union said any such move without the consent of raiyats and displaced families would not be acceptable.
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INTUC Announced Phased Agitation
Nagwala also made allegations concerning the establishment of a police outpost at Pagar OP within the BGR Mines office premises and alleged a nexus between the company and the local police station in-charge, Dinesh Kumar Mandal. He called for an inquiry into the officer’s movable and immovable assets. These allegations were made by INTUC and no official investigation report was presented at the press conference. BGR Mines, NTPC and the concerned administrative authorities had not issued an official response to the allegations at the time of the report. INTUC said it would first organise a large public meeting in Keredari, followed by a phased agitation, including a road blockade and, if required, a lockout at the project. State president Rakeshwar Pandey is also expected to address a workers’ meeting in the Keredari area. The union said the agitation would continue until the issues raised by workers, raiyats and displaced families were addressed.
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