Give protection to workers, SC tells Chhatisgarh

NEW DELHI, MARCH 7. The controversy over privatising the BALCO took a new turn today with the Supreme Court directing the Chhatisgarh Government to provide full protection to workers and the new management of the strike-bound aluminium plant.

On an urgent interim application moved by the Central Government, a two-member Bench directed that the State Government should not disconnect water, electricity and food supplies to the plant.

It restrained other courts from giving any order on the BALCO issue as the matter rested with the apex court.

Commenting on the order, the Union Minister for Disinvestment, Mr. Arun Shourie, said it was very important and expressed the hope that the Chhatisgarh Government would implement it in letter and in spirit.

PTI reports from Raipur

In Raipur, an official spokesperson, Mr. C.K. Khaitan, said ``The Government respects the apex court order and assures all protection to those who want to work in the BALCO plant.''

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