The Bokaro Steel Officers' Association (BSOA) expressed concerns during a press conference regarding recent events connected to the Vistapith agitation. The association particularly criticized the actions taken by protestors who reportedly surrounded the residence of an Executive Director (HR with additional charge of Works) confining the family inside for nearly 15 hours.
A.K. Singh, the President of BSOA and a prominent figure at Bokaro Steel Limited (BSL), addressed the media along with A.K Pandey (GS - BSOA) , emphasizing the importance of maintaining Bokaro Steel City's reputation for a healthy work culture. Singh described the incident as a significant breach of personal privacy, arguing that such actions go beyond acceptable forms of protest.
"While we understand the motivations behind the Vistapith agitation, there are proper channels and designated spaces for raising such concerns," Singh stated. "Interfering with the personal lives of individuals, especially in their own homes, is not only inappropriate but also crosses the boundaries of lawful demonstration."
A.K Singh also touched on the potential wider implications of such actions, suggesting that they could affect both employee morale and plant operations. "A stable and stress-free environment is crucial for maintaining productivity, and incidents like this can have a negative impact on both individual well-being and the overall functioning of the plant," he added.
The BSOA indicated that if similar incidents occur in the future, they may seek intervention from higher authorities, including the Chief Secretary, the Chief Minister, and the Steel Ministry. Singh mentioned that the association is considering a peaceful on-road march to draw attention to their concerns if things are not responded properly. He also noted that the association believes the administration’s handling of the situation could have been more effective.
During the conference, when asked to quantify the losses caused by the agitation, A.K. Singh responded that no loss is greater than the loss of morale. He reiterated that while protests are necessary, they should be held in designated areas where they can be most effective and should never infringe on anyone's personal space.
