Idukki’s hydel tourism centres have come to a stand still following the ongoing strike by Left employee unions in the district. The Hydel Tourism Workers Association under the Centre of Indian Trade Unions (CITU) have gone on strike at the dam centres at Mattupetty, Kundala, Chenkulam, Anayirankal, Idukki and Echo Point since February 11.
According to stakeholders, these spots attract the most crowds in Idukki and the absence of boating and other tourism activities has affected the arrival of tourists.
Hydel Tourism Workers Association (CITU) state President K.K. Vijayan said that the anti workers policy of the Kerala Hydel Tourism Centre (KHTC) officials has prompted the strike in such centres in Idukki as well as in Wayanad. “The CITU union raised ten demands before the KHTC director but has not yet received a positive reply. The workers have not received a salary revision for the past seven and half years. The KHTC director can easily solve the issue and resume the functioning of the centres. But the official repeatedly reiterated that he has no power to solve the issues. At present, the workers are protesting at seven centres in Idukki and at the Banasura Sagar dam centre in Wayanad,” said Mr. Vijayan.
