Daijiworld Media Network - Udupi (SP)

Udupi, Oct 10: Security staff of the Udupi Power Corporation Limited(UPCL) near Padubidri, previously known as Nagarjuna, being promoted by Lanco Company, went on a flash strike on Thursday October 9, protesting against payment of lesser-than-promised salaries.

The staff staged a protest once in the morning and again in the evening. They withdrew their protest after they were promised of justice.

Chennai based Kisco Company has taken the responsibility of providing security to UPCL and has employed 140 persons here. Ex-servicemen were promised salaries ranging from Rs 7,500 to 10,500 while the others were offered salaries between Rs 5,100 to Rs 6,600. The security staff said, they were told that their duty hours would be eight hours daily. Now, all the security staff are made to work for 12 hours daily while salaries ranging between Rs 3,700 to 4,500 is paid. Some local workers were also removed from duties in the recent past.

In the morning, the staff struck work at 11 am and withdrew after the company promised to solve their problems before 4 pm. They again resorted to protest at 6 pm, as there was no progress.  Later, the officials contacted Kisco company in Chennai, the officials of which promised the staff to settle the issue on Sunday October 12. The protest was temporarily withdrawn, based on this promise.

Protestors were led by Lokesh Kanchinadka, Shankar Belapu, sudhir Mulki and contractor David D'Souza. When policemen tried to intervene in the matter, the protestors asked them not to interefere in internal matters.