Rourkela,– The 10th National Conference of the Steel Workers Federation of India (SWFI) kicked off today in Rourkela, drawing leaders, delegate comrades, and members from various steel units across India. The event, hosted at the site of India's first public sector integrated steel plant, the Rourkela Steel Plant (RSP), comes at a critical time as discussions around privatization, workers' rights, and tribal displacement benefits take center stage.
Comrade Laxman Munda, MLA Bonai and Chairman of the Reception Committee, delivered a warm welcome address, expressing gratitude to the SWFI national body for choosing Rourkela as the host city. He highlighted Rourkela's historic significance, tracing the origins of the RSP back to Jawaharlal Nehru's announcement in 1953 and its inauguration by Dr. Rajendra Prasad in 1959.
"RSP was projected as one of Nehru's temples to India's industrial modernity; aimed at rapid industrialization, removal of economic stagnation, generating employment and socioeconomic progress," Com. Munda stated. He recalled the strategic reasons for Rourkela's selection, including the availability of raw materials, water from the Brahmani river, existing railway lines, and electricity from the Hirakud dam. He also underscored the government of Odisha's determination in the 1950s to develop Sundargarh, a "backward region with a mostly tribal population."
However, Com. Munda quickly shifted to pressing contemporary concerns. While RSP's production capacity has dramatically increased from 1 MTPA to 4.5 MTPA, with a further expansion to 9.4 MTPA proposed, employment figures have plummeted. "Once upon a time the RSP had an employment capacity of about 32 thousand and has now slashed down to 9 thousand plus now," he revealed, adding the "shocking" detail that "more than the regular employees the contract laborers are engaged in perennial jobs against the law of the land."
A significant portion of his address was dedicated to the "great challenge" of resisting the Union Government's alleged conspiracy to privatize the plant. "We are in a job and in the past days organized struggle numerous times against the conspiracy but in the coming days we should intensify our struggle," he urged the delegates. "Otherwise, this anti-people policy of the union govt. will hand over this plant known as the temple of industry of Odisha to a private corporate house."
Com. Munda also passionately advocated for the rights of the tribal community, who have been the primary land contributors for projects like RSP and Mandira Dam. "As on date the tribals who have immensely contributed their lands for Rourkela Steel Plant and Mandira Dam are still vowing for job and displacement benefit after 72 years," he lamented. He acknowledged the tireless efforts of CITU leaders in bringing about "sea changes in the lives of the tribals of the mineral activity areas under Bonai sub-division."
He criticized the "anti-labour works of the present union govt." and the corporatization of mining, which has led to increased mechanization, threatening local livelihoods and the environment. "Now the mining area people have the possibility of suffering from the pulmonary and other hazardous diseases but the corporate houses are not taking minimum initiative to provide the health services to the affected people," he highlighted, calling for intensified struggle against "the monarchy of corporate houses."
Com. Munda painted a picture of Sundargarh as a mineral-rich district with significant economic potential, contributing 9.8% to the State GDP and boasting natural attractions like Khandadhar Waterfall. Yet, he pointed out the paradox: "Sundargarh is still considered as a poor district and its unemployment ratio tops in the district. Still, it is one of the leading districts of the state in migration labour and women trafficking." He expressed hope that the conference would address this "alarming situation."
He concluded by wishing the delegates a comfortable stay and a productive conference, expecting important decisions to be made for the benefit of steel workers and units.
The conference is expected to delve deeper into these critical issues over the next two days, with delegates poised to strategize future actions to safeguard the interests of steel workers and the local populace.
06 September
