Anbumani Says NLC Workers Denied Justice, Threatens Stir

CUDDALORE:  Former Union Minister and PMK leader Anbumani Ramadoss on Tuesday blamed Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) management for denying justice to its contract workers and announced that he would soon lead a protest in Neyveli by roping in regular workers and general public.

Speaking to reporters in Neyveli, Anbumani said, “Contract workers have been holding an indefinite strike for the past 35 days. Their main demands are regularisation of jobs and provision of `25,000 as monthly wage. Morover, the NLC management is not obeying the Supreme Court order on the issue. All political parties are united on the demands of the contract workers. I will meet the Coal Minister to bring this to his attention.”

“Ninety-five per cent of the contract workers are those, who had given their lands for the NLC projects. But now, they are asking for jobs and holding protests. PMK condemns the police for registering cases against the protesting villagers. The cases should be withdrawn immediately,” he added.

Anbumani further said, “NLC has made this region a desert. Groundwater-level has dipped due to mining.. NLC earns `1,500 crore profit per year,so it could have spent 10 per cent on improving basic facilities.”

On reservation, Anbumani said, “The “State government should appoint a talented senior advocate and file a petition in response to the SC notice to follow the 69 per cent reservation. Also, the government should begin the process for a caste-based survey.”

Related Stories

No stories found.
The New Indian Express
www.newindianexpress.com