Arrest warrant against Balco officials

Korba, Sep 6 (UNI) The Labour Court here has issued arrest warrant against 5 Balco officials, including its chairman, for violating safety rules under the Factory Act and creating hurdles during investigations.

Official sources said warrants were issued against Balco chairman and Director C P Baid, Alumina plant Manager D P Kesharwani, Central Workshop and Smelter Plant Manager N Thirugnanam, Smelter Plant Manager Pramod Suri and Captive Power Plant Manager Sharad Kumar Goyal as they failed to be present in the court yesterday despite directions in this regard.

Labour Court Presiding Officer S N Sanothia, who fixed next hearing on September 14, directed to serve the warrants through Superintendent of Police, Korba.

Labour Inspector T K Sahu inquired into complaints that Balco was not following labour and safety rules. Subsequently, a case was filed in the Labour Court.

The profit-making Bharat Aluminium Company, with its manufacturing facility at Korba, was disinvested during the NDA regime when its 51 per cent shares were handed over to the Sterlite Group. Recently, the UPA government decided to return to the Sterlite Group about Rs 1080 crore which the group had given in return for safe custody of the remaining 49 per cent shares.

UNI XC-SP PR RK1305