Employment to families affected due to acquisition of land for SAIL SSP

Saturday, 04 Jul 2009

Mr A Sai Prathap minister of State for Steel in a written reply in the Lok Sabha informed that the Government of Tamil Nadu had acquired an area of 3973.08 acres of land from 3002 families for Steel Authority of India Limited’s Salem Steel Plant during the period 1970-83.

He said that “Regarding the offer of employment to displaced families, the CPSUs are governed by Government guidelines and court orders.’

He also informed that “The writ petitions filed by the displaced families at Salem were dismissed by a Single Bench of the Hon’ble HC of Madras with a direction that the individuals should get themselves sponsored by the employment exchange in response to Salem Steel Plant’s notification and other things being equal, the persons of the displaced families could be given preference. The issue was further contested by the displaced persons before a Division Bench of the Hon’ble HC of Madras, which upheld the decision of the Single Bench.’

Despite the limited employment potential due to the size of the plant and installation of sophisticated technology, Salem Steel Plant has still been able to provide employment to 212 displaced persons.