SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Sept 24: In a major relief for workers, the Calcutta High Court has lifted the stay on INTUC’s participation in Coal India Limited’s (CIL) Standardisation Committee (SC) meeting. The meeting, set for September 25 in Kolkata, will decide the bonus for 2.5 lakh employees—a key demand with Durga Puja approaching.
Court Clears Union’s Entry
A division bench of the Calcutta High Court today permitted the Rashtirya Khan Mazdoor Federation (INTUC) to attend the SC meeting.
Earlier, a single bench had allowed Federation president and Bermo MLA Jayamangal Singh alias Anup Singh, along with general secretary S.Q. Jama, to join the meeting in Delhi on September 22. However, the CIL management appealed to stop INTUC’s entry. The division bench has now lifted the restriction.
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INTUC to Send Key Leaders
Federation working president A.K. Jha said that following the court order, Jayamangal Singh and S.Q. Jama will represent INTUC in Kolkata, with Janak Prasad as the alternate member.
Jha alleged that the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) had tried to block INTUC’s presence in the committee. He also thanked AITUC, HMS, and CITU for supporting INTUC’s stand.
Bonus Talks Crucial for Workers
The September 25 meeting will finalise bonus payouts for 2.5 lakh CIL employees. With Durga Puja round the corner, the decision holds great significance for workers and their families.
Jha pointed out that INTUC’s involvement in the 11th NCW meeting earlier had paved the way for a successful agreement.
Back After Eight Years
INTUC last attended a Standardisation Committee meeting in 2017, when the then national general secretary Rajendra Prasad Singh represented the union.
Later, a dispute between the late Chandrashekhar Dubey alias Dadai Dubey and INTUC president G. Sanjeeva Reddy led CIL management to block INTUC from meetings, including those of the JBCCI.
It was only after a High Court directive that INTUC was allowed to participate in the 11th NCW meeting.
