By Our Correspondent
BHUBANESWAR/KOIDA: When will Neelachal lspat Nigam Ltd dispatch the produce material (Iron Ore) from its Captive Mines at Koida. On 09 Mar 2021 NINL has got permission to sell 50% of annual capacity of iron ore mines to sell in open market to meet employee salary & arrear salary with other legitimate dues. All necessary/statutory permissions were taken from Mines authorities, M/S Narayani ltd MDO (Mine developer and operator) was appointed by NINL authorities finally production of captive mines at Koida has started with the help of NMDC on Dt 27.08.2021.
For disbursement of arrear salary and other legitimate dues on Dt:01.11.2021 e-auction notice for sale of iron ore of quantity 4000MT was circulated through newspaper and also uploaded in the official NINL website. Within few days auction was completed by MSTC and M/S Bajrangwali Steel and Power ltd was the highest bidder to get the first lot of material. Necessary permissions were taken from DDM office, Koida for dispatch of material. As per rule royalty to the Government was paid by NINL officials.
During this period on Dt:02.12.2021 2nd lot of 16000 MT of iron ore was auctioned for dispatch. But during the dispatch of ores from mines site at Mithrida on Dt:25.12.2021 few local people from nearby villages of Mithirda, Kriyakudra, Basada, Dalita, Rusibenua, Mandajoda & Kadalia stopped the transporters and demanded facilities regarding development of roads and other social needs. Even if NINL officials have discussed with villagers in presence of government of Odisha authorities and committed jobs and basic facilities to local people but all are in vain. Again discussions and persuasions are going on and it is expected this will be fruitful and dispatch of iron ores to the buyers may be possible in the next few days which will bring happiness and hope for the employees of NINL to get the arrears and regular salary.
Neelachal Ispata Nigam ltd (NINL) a public Sector Undertaking was allotted a iron ore captive Mines of capacity 110 million tones by State of Odisha on priority basis in the year 1999.The objective of allotment of Mines for preferential use by public sector made with a hope to increase economic activities and employment generation in the region contributing to the amelioration of the economic status of the people of Jajpur and the people of the Odisha.
It is unfortunate that, till 2018 the NINL never explored the captive source. A token operation of the captive source was taken up during August, 2019 only after a decision for disinvestment/privatization was decision was taken. The Cabinet Committee of Government of India on Dt: 08.01.2020 approved in principle, the strategic disinvestment of shares in NINL Consequently, the DIPAM issued/floated the expression of interest for transfer of 100% shares of all strategic partners in NINL.
The same expression of interest with Preliminary Information Memorandum was floated on Dt: 25.01.2021 and 5th April is the last date for submission of EOI/PIM by the private players/ interested bidders. During August-September 2021 physical due diligence was completed by the perspective/selected parties. On 3rd December 2021 Request for proposal was submitted to the bidders for filling of financial bids within 21 days i.e. Dt 23.12.2021.Finally the disinvestment of NINL moved to the concluding stage which is declaration of the H-1 bidder after setting of reserve/base price by the Govt of India. As per DIPAM authorities by the end of the January 2022 process will be completed.
But employees of NINL are passing through a very pathetic situation. After the declaration of disinvestment promoters (MMTC and others) were not interested to infuse fund resulting stoppage of production and salary . Almost 3500 contractual employees have lost their job in NINL in Covid-19 pandemic period. Employees are unpaid for more than 1 year i.e due from March 2020 ; more than 10000 people are directly & indirectly affected. NINL has lost 17 nos employees due to nonpayment of salary, want of medical facility.”
A meeting co-chaired by Union Minister of Commerce and Industry & Railways & Union Minister of Petroleum & Natural Gas and Steel, on 10 Nov 2020 it was decided to create a corpus to pay arrear salaries to the employees, but the same has not happened yet.
