Trainee for decade, 8 PAPs scale CSTPS chimney for job regularization

Chandrapur: Eight project affected persons (PAPs) of Chandrapur Super Thermal Power Station (CSTPS), who have been working as trainees for nearly a decade, on Wednesday resorted to ‘Virugiri’ and scaled the tallest chimney of generation unit nos. 8 and 9 to press their demand of regularization in jobs.
Despite assurances by the CSTPS authorities, the agitators were atop the chimney till filing of this report.
CSTPS is the largest thermal power plant run by Mahagenco in the state. The eight PAPs — five men and three women — scaled the chimney in the plant in the morning and started shouting slogans demanding permanent jobs as promised by the government while acquiring their land. Even as the PAPs remained atop the chimney, Maharashtra Rajya Vijnirmiti Pragatkushal Kruti Samiti submitted a memorandum to the plant chief engineer warning of self-immolation by its members.
The samiti claimed the PAPs are fighting for their rights for the last many years. However, they are being made to work as trainees for a nominal stipend for a decade. Because of the inordinate delay, many of them have crossed eligibility age for permanent jobs, said the samiti.
CSTPS authorities claimed they have forwarded the demand to Mahagenco headquarters as regularization of trainees does come under their power.
Meanwhile, MLA Kishor Jorgewar rushed to the spot and talked to power minister Nitin Raut over on the issue. Raut has assured to hold a high-level meeting on the matter on Monday. However, despite persuasion from CSTPS authorities and assurance from Jorgewar, the eight agitators refused to come down demanding appointment letters for all PAPs.
It remains a mystery as to how the agitators climbed the chimney despite the presence of Central Industrial Security Force personnel on the CSTPS premises.