NCSTto investigate matter of burn injured labourers at JSW BPSL plant

Jharsuguda: National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) today has issued notice to investigate the matter of the four contractual labourers who have sustained burn injuries while performing their duty in the JSW BPSL plant on 11 March 2022.

The ST panel has also sought a comprehensive report from the Chief Secretary Govt of Odisha and DGP, Odisha on the action taken within 15 days.

On 11 March, four labourers namely Karan Oram, Nilamani Oram, Anjan Oram and Ashok Dhurua, all residents of Titeimal Village under Bhalaida Panchayat of Jharsuguda District had gone to work at the JSW BPSL.

On the same night, there was a blast in the plant, which inflicted burn injuries of varying degrees on the four workers. While one labourer had received 80 percent injury, another suffered 30 percent and two others had around 10 percent injury each.

Recently Odisha BJP Secretary Tankadhar Tripathy alleged that they were given threats and advised not to file any FIR on the incident.

After receiving primary treatment at the plant dispensary, two of them were sent to the Ispat General Hospital, Rourkela and two others to the Veer Surendra Sai Institute of Medical Sciences and Research (VIMSAR), Burla.

Tripathy further alleged that JSW BPSL have not yet provided any compensation to the four contractual labourers who have sustained burn injuries while performing their duty in the plant on 11 March 2022.

Even after a month of this unfortunate incident, the District Administration has not taken any action. No FIR has yet been lodged with the police alleged Tripathy.

In the process, whatever little savings the poor workers had with them, got exhausted in their treatment. They are poor labourers and they have no money left with them. The contractors who engaged them in the plant have done nothing for them, he said.