Coal Production Hit In SCCL—Miners Oppose Centre’s Decision On FDI

Hyderabad, Sept.24 (Maxim News): Coal production in the State-owned Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) was affected on Tuesday as the mine workers went on a one day strike, following a call given by various Central trade unions to protest against the Centre’s decision to allow 100 per cent Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in coal mining industry.

Coal production in almost all the mines spread across six districts of the State was hit as majority of the over 50,000 employees joined the strike. The production in all underground mines in Bhadradri Kothagudem district also came to a halt while operations in open cast mines were partially affected. Production was also hit in almost all the mines in Bellampalli, Ramagundam, Mandamarri and other areas. The strike might result in production loss of nearly two lakh tonnes.

All major employees’ unions, GLBKS, SGLBKS, TSUS, SGKS, INTUC and TSKS, affiliated to five national trade unions joined the strike.

Holding their union flags, the employees took out rallies, demanding the Centre to withdraw its decision. Recognised union TGBKS affiliated to the ruling Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) has also extended its support to the strike.

For the first time after formation of Telangana state in 2014, the SCCL is witnessing a strike with maximum participation by the employees. Police made elaborate security arrangements at the mines as the management promised to protect those not taking part in the strike.

SCCL is the largest public sector company in Telangana. It registered a record production of 64.41 million tonnes in 2018-19, and earned a net profit of Rs 1,765 crore. (Maxim News)