The Hindu : National : NALCO staff abstain from work

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Tuesday, Jun 27, 2006

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National

NALCO staff abstain from work

Staff Reporter

Bandh call by Biju Janata Dal hits life in Damanjodi

— Photo: PTI

AGAINST DIVESTMENT: NALCO staff staging a demonstration in front of the company's corporate office in Bhubaneshwar on Monday.

BHUBANESWAR : The agitation against the Centre's decision to divest 10 per cent equity in the National Aluminium Company Ltd. (NALCO) intensified on Monday with officers and workers at the alumina major's corporate office abstaining from work.

Over 400 officers and workers staged a demonstration outside the office premises raising slogans against Prime Minister Manmohan Singh and United Progressive Alliance chairperson Sonia Gandhi.

They warned that they would intensify their agitation if the Centre did not withdraw its decision.

Workers of the ruling Biju Janata Dal also held a demonstration outside the company's corporate office for the second time demanding that the UPA Government reconsider its decision, as Nalco was a profit-making company.

Production was affected at NALCO's refinery at Damanjodi in Koraput district on Monday due to a day-long bandh called by the Biju Janata Dal. Life was affected in the town with vehicles keeping off the road. Agitating employees at NALCO's smelter unit at Angul also held a demonstration, continuing their protest against the divestment decision. The agitating has gained strength, with all the Central trade unions opposing the disinvestment.

Strike call

The trade unions have called for a strike to halt work in all Central Government establishments in Orissa on June 30.

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