SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Feb 16: A nationwide strike of four central trade unions invoked partial impact in Jharkhand-based mines of Central Coalfields Limited (CCL), Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL) and Eastern Coalfield Limited (ECL).
Central trade union leaders claimed that the nationwide strikes have wholly paralyzed coal dispatch from collieries.
However, the senior officials of CCL, BCCL and ECL said the strike had no impact on their mines. Mining and dispatching are being done like any other day.
Strike against anti-farmer policy
Barring Bhartiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS), all four central trade unions –Central Industrial Trade Union (CITU), Indian National Trade Union Cong (INTUC), All India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) and Hind Mazdoor Sabha (HMS) have called nationwide industrial strike today in protest of central government’s anti-farmer, anti-labours and privatisation of public sectors.
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CITU senior leader and JBCCI member Arup Chatterjee ( former MLA) said that the coal dispatch from the Jharkhand-based BCCL, ECL and CCL collieries was 100 per cent affected. In contrast, in some mines, production was also impacted. Chatterjee said that the detailed impact of the strike call could be expressed only in the evening.
Partial impact of strike
AITUC senior leader and JBCCI alternative member Lakhan Lal Mahto admitted that the strike call had a partial impact on CCL, BCCL and ECL.
“Miners are not serious about their future and see only immediate benefit from the strike. They do not take an interest in strikes over political policy. Since this strike is against political policy, I think miners did not participate wholeheartedly,” said Lakhan Lal Mahto.
75,000 miners in coal companies
INTUC secretary and Rashtriya Colliery Mazdoor Union (RCMU) general secretary AK Jha said that a complete report of production in mines is yet to come. Still, dispatch is entirely paralyzed by the strike call.
Over 75,000 miners work in Jharkhand-based CCL, BCCL and ECL mines.
