Post News Network
Jajpur, July 23: Fate of 500 labourers engaged in Jakhpura railway siding here was pushed into uncertainty Thursday after the state pollution control board (SPCB) served a closure notice on the siding for alleged violation of the pollution control norms.
The labourers were pushed into peril running the risk of losing their jobs. They are being deprived of gainful employment for the fault of the railway department which violated pollution control norms year after year without thinking of the consequences.
The district administration, labour department and the company authorities are equally responsible for bringing disrepute to the railway siding and pushing the labourers into distress. Denizens claimed that this could never have happened had the authorities been responsible towards the labourers.
Sources said the railway department established two sidings at Manpur and Jakhpura in the district for transporting raw materials to various industries that came up in adjoining Kalinganagar industrial complex. The establishment of the industries was welcomed by the residents as they thought this will usher in employment for them.
Not to speak of the maintenance of the railway sidings, the railways even forgot to implement the pollution control norms and engaged outside labourers. The railway department even deprived the workers by not providing them provident fund and health insurance.
This triggered resentment among labourers from time to time but the railways crushed their protests. The matter was taken up by various forums and several complaints were lodged against the railways including a case for unauthorised construction of a stockyard in Jakhapura railway siding without pollution clearance.
Trade union leader Bidyadhar Mohanty blamed the railways for closure of the railway siding.