Dikhyaa Mohanty 
The Gopalpur Port Authority (GPA) has decided to make biometric attendance of its workers compulsory. The decision was taken at a tripartite meeting held to resolve conflicts between GPA and the Port Workers Union recently.
According to the reports, the meeting which was chaired by Ganjam collector Vijay Amrit Kulange was attended by vice-president HR, GPA; president, Gopalpur Port Karmachari Sangha and senior officers of the district.
Further, it was also decided that a total of 672 rakes per annum at the rate of 56 rakes per month will be provided to the workers in the old siding subject to availability of the rakes and business growth. And no work will be provided in the new sidings where the workers are prohibited to go. Other decisions included the formation of a Grievance Redressal Committee (GRC) under the supervision of the district administration to address all disputes in future. Besides, no workers’ union will violate the law and order.
Meanwhile, the Port Workers’ Union, which has been staging a dharna in front of the main gate of Gopalpur Port demanding more rakes for the last 3 months, has withdrawn the protest.
