Jamshedpur: Jharkhand High Court today ordered that the Tata Workers Union(TWU) election should be held within next 45 days. It also ordered the East Singhbhum district administration to supervise the Tata Workers Union elections.
�As per the order, the deputy commissioner (DC) and senior superintendent of police (SSP) will ensure free and fair union polls under their supervision,� union sources said.
In case of any controversy or dispute regarding union election rules, the DC should resolve the matter on his own initiative as per the court order, sources said.
The HC heard the litigation filed by Tata Workers Union (TWU) member Dharmendra Upadhyaya seeking election of the union. Upadhyaya said the HC order was as per his expectations.
Sources said the PN Singh faction had already made up its mind for a fresh election of the union under the supervision of the DC and SSP. Former Tata Steel employee and ex-president of TWU PN Singh said he and his supporters were ready for fresh elections.
Speaking after the court order, the union general secretary BK Dinda said he would comment only after getting a copy of the court order in this regard.
Controversy arose in the union after PN Singh, former Tata Workers Union president, retired from Tata Steel on 30th September. The opposition faction led by union general secretary BK Dinda had demanded re-election for the post vacated by PN Singh who had expected service extension before retirement.
In the event of his retirement, PN Singh could not continue to hold the union president�s post, Dinda faction leaders said. After PN Singh�s retirement, both ruling and opposition factions seem ready for fresh elections while waiting for the HC order.
The predecessor of PN Singh Raghunath Pandey expressed joy over the decision and welcomed it. Many union leaders celebrated the decision and garlanded the statue of former TWU president VG Gopal at TWU office.