KONSARI, GADCHIROLI (India CSR): In the latest en-masse surrender in Gadchiroli, sixty Maoists have laid down arms in presence of Chief Minister of Maharashtra. The latest surrender, led by senior cadre Sonu alias Bhupathi, reflects growing confidence in the structured rehabilitation process underway in the region.
Lloyds Metals & Energy Ltd in coordination with the Maharashtra Government and Gadchiroli Police, has so far provided employment to 68 surrendered Maoists from previous surrenders, along with 14 members of families affected by Maoist violence, bringing the total to 82 individuals. They are engaged across departments such as administration, civil and construction work and mechanical operations.
Surrender and Employment Details of Maoists in Gadchiroli
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Maoists surrendered (latest) | 60 |
| Senior cadre leading latest surrender | Sonu alias Bhupathi |
| Employment provided to surrendered Maoists | 68 (from previous surrenders) |
| Employment provided to family members affected by Maoist violence | 14 |
| Total individuals employed | 82 |
| Departments employed in | Administration, Civil & Construction Work, Mechanical Operations |
| Skill development initiative | Lloyds Skill Development and Training Centre, Konsari |
| Type of training | Technical and operational skills |
| Objective | Structured rehabilitation through skill-based employment |
Recognising that many of the surrendered individuals had limited formal education, LMEL implemented a skill-based rehabilitation model. Participants were trained at the Lloyds Skill Development and Training Centre in Konsari, acquiring relevant technical and operational skills before joining the company’s workforce.
LMEL operates the Surjagarh iron ore mines in Etapalli taluka and has expanded operations to its Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) and pellet plant at Konsari. On 22 July 2025, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis performed the bhoomipujan for LMEL’s proposed Integrated Steel Plant at Konsari and inaugurated the 87-kilometre slurry pipeline and iron ore grinding unit. These projects are expected to further strengthen the regional economy and generate additional employment opportunities.
LMEL Operations and Regional Development Initiatives
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Company | Lloyds Metals & Energy Ltd (LMEL) |
| Mines operated | Surjagarh iron ore mines, Etapalli taluka |
| Expansion site | Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) & Pellet Plant, Konsari |
| Key events | Bhoomipujan of Integrated Steel Plant (22 July 2025) by CM Devendra Fadnavis |
| Infrastructure inaugurated | 87-km slurry pipeline, Iron ore grinding unit |
| Regional development focus | Local employment generation, skill development |
| Training initiative | L T Gondwana Skill Hub Pvt Ltd |
| Local youth trained (till July 2025) | ~1,400 |
| Additional youth in training | Several hundred |
| Leadership | Managing Director B. Prabhakaran |
| Impact | Promotes trust, stability, economic progress, inclusive and sustainable development |
Under the leadership of Managing Director B. Prabhakaran, LMEL has consistently focused on local employment generation and skill development. Through its L T Gondwana Skill Hub Pvt Ltd initiative, the company had trained and absorbed around 1,400 local youth by the end of July 2025, with several hundred more currently undergoing training in various skills.
Company officials stated that the coordinated efforts between industry, government, and local administration are helping establish an environment of trust, stability, and economic progress in Gadchiroli. Once considered a challenging region for industrial growth, the district is now emerging as a centre of inclusive and sustainable development, offering meaningful opportunities to both locals and surrendered Maoists.
(India CSR)
