A step, which the company says is, to 'cut operational costs' at Bicholim site
PANAJI: It appears that the Supreme Court’s (SC) February judgement banning excavation of iron ore from March 16 in the state has already started showing its impact as Vedanta has told its staff and workmen at its Bicholim mines to not report for duty with immediate effect until further notice.
A company spokesperson said, “We have issued a notice to our staff at Bicholim mines to not report at work. Since fresh excavation of ore can no longer happen, this will help us in saving operational costs like bus-transport, canteen and etc. However, we will continue to pay salaries to our staff. This move has been taken to just cut down on our operational costs.”
The notice sent by Vedanta to its staff said, “…the honourable Supreme Court by its order dated 7th February 2018 has passed an order to stop all Mining Operations w.e.f 16th March 2018. Also Director of Mines Geology (DMG), Government of Goa vide its letter dated 06/03/2018 besides various instructions has directed us to stop extraction of ore and in further communication has directed us to take care of only Dewatering, Safety and Security of Mines till further instructions.”
The notice then said that in the light of the SC order it is beyond Vedanta’s control to continue operations of the mines. Considering such a situation, Vedanta has told all employees at its Bicholim mines to not report for duty with immediate effect until further notice.
Meanwhile, the company has also said that it may need some manpower to carry out dewatering and for safety and security, as directed by DMG and those who are required for these jobs will be communicated by the company individually.
It is also reported that allied services like transport and canteen at Bicholim mines of Vedanta will stop from March 22.
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