By Our Correspondent/Agencies
NEW DELHI/BHUBANESWAR: The Karnataka Iron and Steel Manufacturers Association has written to the Karnaka government to keep running the JSW Steel’s plant in Ballari district. KISMA secretary Ramana Kumar “It is important for local industry members and administration to jointly ensure that the local steel industry continues to function with adequate safeguards in the interest of the large number of people who depend on it for their livelihoods.”
Ballari District Chamber of Commerce & Industry president V Ravi Kumar had earlier written to Karnataka government that “The call for stopping JSW because of the Covid-19 is very unfortunate. Where will the revenue to the state, the development of the region, and employment for the youth come from if large industries are stopped? Who will give employment?”
JSW Steel has extended the work from home option to over 50 per cent of its workforce. It has set up a fever centre within the steel plant premises to check and detect early symptoms of influenza like illness or severe acute respiratory infection, besides converting its two hospitals for Covid treatment.
The company has converted its Jindal Sanjeevani Multi-Specialty Hospital into full-fledged Covid care hospital and offered to convert its OP Jindal Vocational Training Centre into a Covid centre. Currently, the training centre is an isolation centre for suspected Covid cases. Local industry groupings have come out in support of the company.
According to reports, there were 244 cases of Covid-19 at the Ballari plant last week, up from 106 cases on June 6. As per local media reports, in last few days COVID cases in JSW Bellary has trickled down to single digit cases.
