JSW Steel Plant Faces Complete Shutdown as Covid Cases Spike

SEATTLE (Scrap Monster): The Ballari District Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BDCCI) – the organization representing industrialists and traders, warned against complete closure of the JSW steel plant at Toranagal in Ballari District, Karnataka. Such an action would have adverse impacts on nearly 2 lakh people, whose lives depend on the prospects of the steel plant.

In a letter addressed to Mr. Jagadish Shettar, Minister for Heavy and Medium Industries, the BDCCI noted that the company has been following all instructions and procedures put forward by the district as well as state authorities. JSW Steel has been providing utmost care to its employees, it added.

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It must be noted that the first case of Covid-19 was reported at the plant on June 3^rd, when an employee working at the Corex Plant was tested positive. The rapid spread of the disease inside and outside of the Torangal campus led to closing down of the Corex plant and imposition of restriction on movement of employees to and from the campus. . The company had instructed over 10,000 employees to work from home.

Meantime, the State administration confirmed that a decision on whether to completely suspend production at the facility will be taken at the earliest after consultations with district health officials and company management.