Nalco's Odisha plants hit by strike call against disinvestment decision

Operations at National Aluminium Company Ltd's (Nalco) plants in Odisha were hit on Saturday due to a 24-hour strike call by employees and unions against the government's decision to disinvest its stake in the company.

Nalco is India's third-largest aluminium producer.

Hundreds of trade union activists and employees of Nalco staged a protest in front of the company headquarters here.

Similar demonstrations were held at Nalco's smelter and power complex in Angul and mines and refinery complex at Damanjodi in Koraput, a company official told IANS.

"Although the saleable production has been badly affected, emergency staff is carrying out normal operations in the power and smelter plants," the official added.

The government holds 87.15 per cent stake in the aluminium company. However, the cabinet recently decided to bring down the stake to 75 per cent.

The move has been opposed by most of the political parties in Odisha, including the ruling Biju Janata Dal (BJD).