NCST Issues Notice to RINL CMD Over Alleged Denial of Promotions to ST Executives

The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has issued an official notice to the Chairman and Managing Director of Rashtriya Ispat Nigam Limited (RINL) / Visakhapatnam Steel Plant over the alleged denial of promotions to Scheduled Tribe (ST) executives from E1 to E4 level.

The matter stems from a representation submitted on July 20, 2024, by the President of the Steel Executives Association (SEA), highlighting the prolonged delay in implementing a promotion policy and granting career progression to eligible ST executives.

Subsequently, on November 25, 2024, a meeting was held before the Chairman of the NCST, Jathoth Hussain Naik. The meeting was attended by the RINL Chairman & Managing Director, Director (Personnel), ST Cell representatives of RINL, and office-bearers of the Steel Executives Association, including its President and Joint Secretary.

During the meeting, the NCST Chairman reportedly directed the RINL management to introduce a promotion policy within one month and ensure that the long-pending promotions were granted at the earliest.

However, according to the petitioner, no promotion policy has been implemented and the pending promotions remain unresolved.

NCST Seeks Compliance Report

In its latest communication dated July 21, 2026, signed by Deputy Secretary K.D. Verma, the NCST referred to RINL’s reply dated January 29, 2025, and the rejoinder dated April 5, 2025, submitted by petitioner Katam S.S. Chandra Rao, who was then President of the Steel Executives Association and is presently Deputy General Secretary of the National Confederation of Officers’ Associations (NCOA).

The Commission has directed RINL to submit an Action Taken Report (ATR) within 30 days of receiving the notice.

The notice further states that failure to submit the required response may compel the Commission to exercise the powers of a Civil Court under Article 338A of the Constitution of India, including issuing summons for personal appearance of the concerned officials.

Concerns Raised

The petitioner has highlighted several concerns arising from the prolonged delay in promotions, including:

• Massive resignations of experienced executives due to career stagnation, resulting in significant loss of institutional knowledge within RINL.
• Alleged denial of legitimate promotional opportunities to Scheduled Tribe executives in E1 to E4 grades.
• Non-implementation of the directions issued by the Chairman of the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes during the meeting held on November 25, 2024.

Appeal to RINL Management

Petitioner Katam S.S. Chandra Rao has urged the RINL management and its Chairman & Managing Director to:

• Immediately implement the Promotion Policy retrospectively with effect from June 2020 for E5 and above, and from December 2021 for E1 to E4 levels.
• Grant all pending promotions before submitting the Action Taken Report to the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes.

He stated that the career progression and dignity of RINL executives should not be subjected to further delay and called upon the management to resolve the issue expeditiously.