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    Industry bodies come out in support of local steelmakers in Ballari

    Synopsis

    There were 244 cases of Covid-19 at the Ballari plant last week, up from 106 cases on June 6. The district administration has restricted movement of people to between the JSW township and the factory.

    bellari
    The Karnataka Iron and Steel Manufacturers’ Association has also written to the state government to keep the plant open.
    MUMBAI/KOLKATA: JSW Steel’s plant in Ballari district of Karnataka is facing calls to close down, with local residents alleging the factory was a Covid-19 cluster after an increase in the number of employees who tested positive for the disease.

    However, local industry groupings have come out in support of the company.

    “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?” V Ravi Kumar, president of the Ballari District Chamber of Commerce & Industry, asked in a letter to the Karnataka government.

    There were 244 cases of Covid-19 at the Ballari plant last week, up from 106 cases on June 6. The district administration has restricted movement of people to between the JSW township and the factory.

    The Karnataka Iron and Steel Manufacturers’ Association has also written to the state government to keep the plant open.

    “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,” said Ramana Kumar, secretary of the association, said in a letter to the Karnataka government.

    The steel industry in Ballari contributes over Rs 7,000 crore annually to the state exchequer. The JSW Steel factory located at Toranagallu village has an annual capacity of 12 million tonnes and provides direct and indirect livelihood to over 200,000 people, the letter said.

    JSW Steel declined to comment on the matter.

    Officials aware of the matter said state forest minister Anand Singh will hold meetings this week with the health ministry and JSW officials to assess the situation and come up with a plan on operating the plant.


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    ( Originally published on Jun 22, 2020 )
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