``At no point of time we will talk to the present Balco management,'' secretary of Balco Bachao Sanyukt Abhiyan Samiti Makhanlal Rajak said.

Earlier, the Sterlite Group-led new management of Balco had asked the striking employees unions for a meeting at New Delhi to negotiate with them in order to resolve the impasse. But, the seven striking employees unions, after their meeting, informed the management that it was not possible. In their letter to the general manager (personnel and administration), Shaheer Ahmad, Rajak, on behalf of the Samiti said: ``We will only talk to the representatives of Central and state governments.''

They also turned the proposal of the management for a discussion in New Delhi saying that the discussion could only be possible at Korba.

Meanwhile, the district superintendent of police, Korba, SRP Kalluri said over the phone that the situation at Balco township is normal. ``The situation is peaceful and under control.''

The seven unions, under the banner of the Samiti, are on strike demanding return of Balco to its original public sector undertaking status. (PTI)The Sterlite Group, on March, 2 had purchased 51 per cent share in Balco from the Centre for Rs 551.5 crore, inviting widespread criticism from many quarters including Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Ajit Jogi, who openly demanded cancellation of the sale agreemnt and supproted the striking employees.