NOBSM threatens agitation in Orissa

Bhubaneswar, Oct 15 (UNI) Nikhila Orissa Bidyut Sramik Mohasangha (NOBSM) today threatened that its 20,000 electrical workers would resort to agitation if their demands were not met before October 19.

NOBSM general secretary Sarat Chandra Mohanty told newspersons here that the workers would organise an awareness campaign on October 19 at Balasore, Cuttack, Bhubaneswar, Burla and Berhampur and observe ''black day'' on October 28, the day of Diwali, in support of their demands.

If the authorities did not meet the demand, the workers would launch a non-cooperation movement from November one, he said.

The demands included pay and perks for electrical workers of CESU, NESCO, WESCO and SOUTHCO at par with the employees of GRIDCO and Orissa Power Transmission Company Ltd (OPTCL), regularisation of the services of contractual workers,elimination of contract system and to undertake maintenance and renovation work on war footing.

Mr Mohanty said though during the last eight years revenue collection, lines' substations and consumers had increased substantially, the staff strength had decreased from 40,000 to 20,000.

He said the workers were forced to take the ''extreme step'' as despite repeated requests, the management of the OPTCL and four distribution companies did not take any initiative to redress their grievances.

UNI BD ADG RR KN2008