TMC councillor Ashok Rudra, accompanied by fellow councillor Gurmeet Singh, entered a meeting of the Safety Department at SAIL’s Integrated Steel Plant (ISP) in Asansol and strongly objected to the hiring of workers from outside West Bengal. Rudra told the officials that since the plant is undergoing a modernisation process, new employment opportunities will emerge and local youth must be given priority in recruitment. He stated that external candidates should not be considered for these posts.
A video of the incident was posted on Ashok Rudra’s social media page, showing both councillors inside the meeting venue speaking to staff in a firm tone. Rudra can be heard saying that the factory’s renovation should benefit the local population through job creation. There was no official response from the plant authorities regarding the councillor’s visit or the recruitment policy.