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BALCO talks end in stalemate
The talks between the striking unions and the Centre to resolve the BALCO imbroglio ended in a virtual stalemate on Monday with the government turning down the demand for change in equity pattern of the company, where it sold 51 per cent equity to Sterlite industries.
The talks between the striking unions and the Centre to resolve the BALCO imbroglio ended in a virtual stalemate on Monday with the government turning down the demand for change in equity pattern of the company, where it sold 51 per cent equity to Sterlite industries.
"Mines Minister Sunderlal Patwa refused to budge an inch on the privatisation issue..... We are going back to Korba (Chattisgarh) to chalk out future plan of action," Baleshwar Jha, convenor of BALCO Bachao Samyukta Abhiyan Samitie (a coordination committee of seven unions), emerging from the meeting said.
"Unions will be willing to resume negotiations with the centre if they are willing to accede to our demands," he said adding that unions had given three options to resolve the crisis following privatisation of the aluminium giant on March 2 triggering an indefinite workers` strike.
During the tripartite talks held at Patwa`s residence since Sunday, the unions took the stand that government should either reverse the sale deal of March 2 or peg the strategic partner`s equity at 49 per cent or allow transfer of 51 per cent equity to Chattisgarh to make balco a joint venture between the Centre and the state.
Jha said that Patwa told them that he was not in a position to reverse the government`s decision.
Chattisgarh Industry Minister Mahendra Karma along with other Central and state government officials was present during the talks, initiated by Patwa on the request of Chief Minister Ajit Jogi and unions to resolve the impasse. cent with the investor and 10 per cent with the employees.
When contacted, BALCO managing director S C krishnan declined to comment, stating that he was yet to receive any information on the outcome of the meeting.
"I cannot comment on the issue... Let me find out from my people as to what transpired at the meeting," Krishnan said.
Bureau Report
"Mines Minister Sunderlal Patwa refused to budge an inch on the privatisation issue..... We are going back to Korba (Chattisgarh) to chalk out future plan of action," Baleshwar Jha, convenor of BALCO Bachao Samyukta Abhiyan Samitie (a coordination committee of seven unions), emerging from the meeting said.
"Unions will be willing to resume negotiations with the centre if they are willing to accede to our demands," he said adding that unions had given three options to resolve the crisis following privatisation of the aluminium giant on March 2 triggering an indefinite workers` strike.
During the tripartite talks held at Patwa`s residence since Sunday, the unions took the stand that government should either reverse the sale deal of March 2 or peg the strategic partner`s equity at 49 per cent or allow transfer of 51 per cent equity to Chattisgarh to make balco a joint venture between the Centre and the state.
Jha said that Patwa told them that he was not in a position to reverse the government`s decision.
Chattisgarh Industry Minister Mahendra Karma along with other Central and state government officials was present during the talks, initiated by Patwa on the request of Chief Minister Ajit Jogi and unions to resolve the impasse. cent with the investor and 10 per cent with the employees.
When contacted, BALCO managing director S C krishnan declined to comment, stating that he was yet to receive any information on the outcome of the meeting.
"I cannot comment on the issue... Let me find out from my people as to what transpired at the meeting," Krishnan said.
Bureau Report