Post News Network
Joda, August 5: Several mining companies in mineral-rich Keonjhar claim to have worked remarkably in peripheral development, but reality checks tell a different tale as unemployment has attained alarming proportions in the district.
Mining companies and industrial units, which are expected to provide job opportunities to unemployed locals, have allegedly let them down. People in different areas had earlier staged a series of agitations and urged the administration to take steps for providing them jobs. The problem has become more acute particularly after several mines remained closed in the wake of the multi-crore mining scam.
The issue is now back into focus with the district administration having formed a core committee to explore job opportunities for local youths in mining and industrial units.
The collector constituted the core committee June 21, 2015 and asked the companies to arrange skill development programmes for local people. The committee held its review meeting at the office of deputy director of mines, Joda circle, July 31. In the meeting, mining and industrial units had assured to create 1,300 jobs.
As part of their peripheral development activities, a few companies including Tata Steel and Essel Mining and Industries Ltd had provided skill development training to some youths, but they have allegedly not been engaged as yet.
Nayan Kumar Patra of Joda said, “Tata Steel Rural Development Society (TSRDS) had sent him and several other persons to Gopalpur for a three-year technical training (NTTF) in 2011. However, after training, I have not been provided any job.” He also said the training he has received is not recognised by other companies.
Jaganath Patra said, “After receiving the training certificate, I was upbeat about getting a job in Tata steel. But my happiness vanished when the company authorities found the certificate invalid.”
Several other trained youths like Md Firoz, Hemalata Patra, Akahaya Nayak, Jagannath Patra, Khirod Patra and Dharanidhar Patra have come with similar allegations. They said their technical training is not recognised by either the National Council for Vocational Training (NCVT) or the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE).
Similar is the case with EMIL. Many residents of Jurudi like Bidyadhar Das, Hemanta Patra and Bidyadhar Patra trained by the company have been let down.
Several local girls who have received ANM training are sitting idle. Many alleged they were assured of appointment after training, but were not given jobs.
Pranab Das, an official of TSRDS, said, “NTTF diploma training at Gopalpur is different from that provided at Jamshedpur. The company has signed any contract with the trained youth for providing them jobs in the company. They can get jobs in other companies with those certificates.”
Similarly, Anil Jha, an official of EMI’s corporate social responsibility wing, said the trained youths have not approached him for jobs. The trained youths are likely to take up the matter with the collector and deputy director of mines.
