Workers to launch protests against Centre’s move to sell CCI properties in Adilabad

The Central government recently issued tenders to auction scrap and industrial equipment from the unit, setting an initial price of Rs 43.30 crore. This move has sparked strong opposition from the local community and employees of the cement manufacturer. BRS working president K Taraka Rama Rao has also voiced his disapproval of the decision through a post on his X handle.

Adilabad: Workers belonging to the sick unit of Cement Corporation of India (CCI) in Adilabad, who have been demanding for revival of the cement manufacturer for quite a long time, are readying to launch protests against the Union government’s move to sell properties of the entity.

The Centre recently invited tenders to sell scrap and industrial equipment of the unit quoting an initial price of Rs 43.30 crore, drawing severe backlash from the people and employees of the cement manufacturer. BRS working president K Taraka Rama Rao has already opposed the decision of the Union government by tweeting on his X handle.

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The disgruntled workers formed the CCI Sadhana committee with an objective to achieve revival of the sick unit in 2022. Since then, members of the committee have been staging various protests seeking revival of the unit. They pinned many hopes on the union government. But, their hopes were shattered by the Centre now. They are planning to launch protests against the latest decision soon.

“The Centre should provide clarity over the revival of the unit. Will it establish a new plant in place of the sick one? It must return valuable lands to farmers if it is disinterested in setting up the plant. Else, we will launch protests against the Centre, demanding it withdraw its move,” Darshanala Mallesh, convener of the committee told ‘Telangana Today.’

The members argue that the district has merits such as water, coal, land, connectivity to revive the sick unit. Similarly, the country is witnessing a huge demand for cement considering the rise in construction activities. “Still, the Union government is showing partiality against the backward district by selling the property of the unit only to benefit certain industrialists,” Vijjagiri Narayana, co-convener of the committee alleged.

The members found fault with the local public representatives from BJP for their inability to prevent the move from auctioning the property and failing to pressure on the Centre to realise its poll promise. They recounted that the then Union minister for State Hansraj Gangaraj and Home Minister Amit Shah promised to take steps to revive the unit at the polls in 2018.

The committee wanted the Centre to return the land measuring 2,200 acres to farmers if the unit was not revived. They stated that the farmers gave lands to the CCI for nominal prices in the 1970s. They were assured of jobs for losing their lands. However, they will find a breather if their lands were given back as prices of lands skyrocketed now.

According to the workers, the plant had its own land and the raw material, lime stone for producing cement would last 100 years. There were 450 regular and 2,000 contract employees at the time of abrupt closure of the unit in 2008. Of them 85 regular and 265 contract employees remain on rolls. Most of the employees and officials opted for a voluntary retirement scheme.