Workers ransack Bhusan farmhouse over pay

DHENKANAL: Tension gripped Bhusan Steel Limited (BSL) after the plant’s farmhouse was ransacked by workers on Sunday, protesting reduced pay. They also detained BSL officials for several hours demanding immediate settlement of their dues. Sources said the workers - some of whom have been directly hired by the plant and some through private outsourcing agencies - were on Saturday issued cheques of their monthly payment at the farmhouse.  Alleging that the amount was less, the workers had heated exchanges with the officials present and ransacked the farmhouse. One of the workers said he got ` 1900 less than his salary. Alleging that attendance and salary registers are not maintained properly, the workers demanded payment of full salary and the amount be deposited in their bank accounts instead of issuing cheques. Accepting the allegations, BSL senior vice-president Satish Tyagi said the workers’ demands had been found to be genuine and the corrected salaries will be paid next month.