Jamshedpur: Job talks between villagers and UCIL management fail

Threat to shut down Turamdih Slime Dam from Sept 23

Mail News Service

Jamshedpur, September 18: Negotiations between the displaced villagers of Talsa village, associated with UCIL’s Turamdih Uranium Project, and the UCIL management over demands for jobs and complete rehabilitation, ended without resolution. During talks held in Jadugora, the UCIL management sought over a month’s time to address the villagers’ concerns, which angered the Talsa villagers, leading them to threaten the shutdown of the Turamdih Uranium Project’s Slime Dam from September 23.

Village Head Majhi Baba Durga Prasad Murmu issued a final warning, urging the company to resolve the matter before the deadline by organizing a meeting with the CMD and the Deputy Commissioner of East Singhbhum district. After eight months of unfulfilled promises, Murmu criticized the management for extending the deadline yet again until November.

He pointed out that the displaced villagers had waited eight years for jobs promised in exchange for their land. Compassionate appointments had been delayed for 14 years, leaving dependents of retired workers without employment. Additionally, concerns were raised about Bandhudang Open Cast Mines and Mahuldih Mines being operated by contractors, further depriving Turamdih’s displaced families of job opportunities.

UCIL management representatives, including DGM (Personnel and Industrial Relations) Rakesh Kumar, Manager (Personnel) D. Hansda, Sanjeev Ranjan, and Girish Gupta, attended the meeting. Several village leaders and community members from Talsa Gram Sabha were present, voicing their frustration and determination to continue the Turamdih Uranium Waste Dam Stop Movement from September 23.