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By:

Abhijit Mulye

21 August 2024 at 11:29:11 am

Red flag to green steel

Ex-Maoists forge new destiny in Gadchiroli Gadchiroli: The rugged, forested terrain of Gadchiroli district, long synonymous with the violence and deep-rooted anti-establishment tenets of the ‘Red Ideology’, is now witnessing a remarkable social and industrial transformation. At the Lloyds Metals and Energy Ltd. (LMEL) plant in Konsari, once-feared Maoist operatives are shedding their past lives and embracing a new, respectable existence as skilled workers in a cutting-edge Direct Reduced Iron...

Red flag to green steel

Ex-Maoists forge new destiny in Gadchiroli Gadchiroli: The rugged, forested terrain of Gadchiroli district, long synonymous with the violence and deep-rooted anti-establishment tenets of the ‘Red Ideology’, is now witnessing a remarkable social and industrial transformation. At the Lloyds Metals and Energy Ltd. (LMEL) plant in Konsari, once-feared Maoist operatives are shedding their past lives and embracing a new, respectable existence as skilled workers in a cutting-edge Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) and pellet plant. This ‘green steel’ project, part of LMEL’s push for an integrated steel complex in the region, is functioning not just as an industrial unit but as a crucial pillar in the Maharashtra government’s surrender-cum-rehabilitation policy. So far, LMEL, in coordination with the state government and the Gadchiroli Police, has provided employment and training to 68 surrendered Maoists and 14 members of families affected by Naxal violence, a total of 82 individuals, offering them a definitive pathway back to the mainstream. The Shift The transformation begins at the company’s dedicated Lloyds Skill Development and Training Centre at Konsari. Recognizing that many former cadres had limited formal education, the company implements a structured, skill-based rehabilitation model. They are trained in essential technical and operational skills required for plant administration, civil construction, and mechanical operations. For individuals like Govinda Atala, a former deputy commander, the change is palpable. “After surrendering, I got the right to live a new life,” Atala said. “I am very happy to get this job. I am now living my life on my own; there is no pressure on me now.” Suresh Hichame, who spent over a decade in the movement before surrendering in 2009 too echoed the sentiments. He realized the path of violence offered neither him nor his family any benefit. Moreover, his self-respecct was hurt. He knew several languages and carried out several crucial tasks for the banned organization remaining constantly under the shadow of death. Today, he works in the plant, receiving a steady monthly salary that enables him to care for his family—a basic dignity the ‘Red Ideology’ could never provide. The monthly salaries of the rehabilitated workers, typically ranging from Rs 13,000 to Rs 20,000, are revolutionary in a region long characterized by poverty and lack of opportunities. Trust, Stability The employment of former Maoists is a brave and calculated risk for LMEL, an industry that historically faced stiff opposition and even violence from the left wing extremist groups. LMEL’s management, however, sees it as an investment in inclusive growth and long-term stability for the district. The LMEL has emphasized the company’s commitment to training and facilitating career growth for the local populace, including the surrendered cadres. This commitment to local workforce upskilling is proving to be a highly effective counter-insurgency strategy, chipping away at the foundation of the Maoist movement: the exploitation of local grievances and lack of economic options. The reintegration effort extends beyond the factory floor. By providing stable incomes and a sense of purpose, LMEL helps the former rebels navigate the social transition. They are now homeowners, taxpayers, and active members of the community, replacing the identity of an outlaw with that of a respected employee. This social acceptance, coupled with economic independence, is the true measure of rehabilitation. The successful employment of cadres, some of whom were once high-ranking commanders, also sends a powerful message to those still active in the jungle: the path to a peaceful and prosperous life is open and tangible. It transforms the promise of government rehabilitation into a concrete reality. The plant, with its production of iron ore and steel, is physically transforming the region into an emerging industrial hub, and in doing so, it is symbolically forging the nation’s progress out of the ashes of extremism. The coordinated effort between private industry, the state government, and the Gadchiroli police is establishing a new environment of trust, stability, and economic progress, marking Gadchiroli’s transition from a Maoist hotbed to a model of inclusive and sustainable development.

India patents HQ to shift from Mumbai to Delhi

Updated: Feb 14

CGPDTM

Mumbai: 10 years after then Commerce & Industry Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s first announcement in parliament, the national headquarter of Controller General of Patents, Designs and TradeMarks (CGPDTM) in Mumbai is set to shift to New Delhi shortly, official sources said.


The new CGPDTM base will be at the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) Dwarka Building along with the top brass, decision-makers and their key aides, numbering around 30, from Mumbai.


“The shifting process is at an advanced stage. A notification to the effect is expected shortly from the Centre. Barring the headquarters, the other affiliated offices shall continue to function with limited authority from Mumbai,” a top official told 'The Perfect Voice'.


Presently, the office is headed by Prof. Unnat P. Pandit of Gujarat, who was appointed to the prestigious and powerful position through the Lateral Entry Scheme of the centre.


The official said that Mumbai was chosen over 80 years ago for the CGPDTM given its emerging financial importance, and a few years later, it got a permanent home at the IPO Building in Antop Hill, staffed by around 275 people.


“The new move could impact many of the stakeholders, but its exact short-and-long term repercussions are yet to be analyzed,” said the official guardedly.


Nevertheless, he hinted at challenges arising out of the absence of a full-fledged IP-centric ecosystem with quick access to legal-technical expertise besides logistical difficulties pertaining to filings, hearings, consultations, etc.


Interestingly, a few months ago, there was a purported move to transplant the CGPDTM headquarter to Ahmedabad, but owing to local political opposition it was shelved.


Thereafter, it was decided to shift it to New Delhi, and a letter to the effect was finally in Dec. 2024 from the Ministry of Commerce & Industry, currently headed by Mumbai North MP, Piyush Goyal.


A Mumbai businessman Santosh Deshpande, who is active in the IPR movement said the country’s commercial capital and Maharashtra stand to forfeit yet another crucial department, on the lines of many others in the past 10 years or so.


“It is surprising that Goyal, who is also a Mumbaikar, has allowed a free hand to his ministry to transfer such an important department out to New Delhi. This has unnerved various collaborators and innovators connected with the industry, academia, legal professionals, Indian and global research organisations, etc. They all contribute to shaping India’s IP framework and effective enforcement,” pointed out Deshpande.


India currently ranks among the top 10 countries globally for Patents.


“For the record, the Head Office of Trademark and Patent office Mumbai shall continue working from the city. It is only the office with the administration and finance division that will be based in Delhi.”

Piyush Goyal, Union Minister, Commerce

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