FDI in coal mines: Strike hits production in Singareni mines

Hyderabad: In protests against 100 per cent FDI in coal mines, Singareni employees join the strike call given by the national coal mining unions. The 41 unions across the nation are taking part in the strike.

Singareni employees in Ramagundam, Adilabad, Bhupalapali, Kothagudem regions are participating in the strike. The strike hits coal production in seven coal mines and four open cast mines in Ramagundam region. The first shift production was zero as no employee reported for duty on Tuesday. Over 15,000 workers in Ramagundam region alone are participating in the strike against allowing foreign direct investment (FDI) into the coal mines.

“We’re protesting against allowing FDI into the coal mine sector. All the 41 unions are fighting united. We won’t allow any production activity until the Centre assures us against FDI in the coal mining sector. The FDI in the coal mining sector will also affect the jobs in the Singareni,” said a leader from the recognised trade union in Godavarikhani.

Five federations representing over half-a-million workers of CIL and Singareni Collieries have called for the strike, seeking withdrawal of the central government’s move to allow 100% FDI in coal mining https://t.co/iQIXzAlmGK #FDI #Coal

— The Hindu (@the_hindu) September 24, 2019

Several unions walked out in a rally in Godavarikhani and raised slogans against the FDI into the coal mining sector.

The production and dispatches were hit at Singareni and Coal India Ltd (CIL) on Tuesday. Singareni has about 65,000 employees. CIL accounts for 80 per cent of total coal output in India. The CIL has 0.5 million people on its rolls. Coal India may suffer 1.5 million tonne of coal product on Tuesday due to the strike.

Also read: https://newsmeter.in/is-singareni-heading-to-financial-crisis/

Singareni has produced 64.4 million tonnes of coal in 2018-19. It has around 48000 employees currently. In 1871 Geological Survey of India discovered coal deposits in Yellandu in Khammam. The Hyderabad (Deccan) Company Limited was incorporated in England to mine coal found in Yellandu. On 23rd December 1920 'The Singareni Collieries Company Limited' was incorporated. SCCL acquired all the assets and liabilities of the Hyderabad (Deccan) company. SCCL activities are spread over Adilabad, Karimnagar, Khammam and Warangal of Telangana. Geological Survey of India found as much as 22207 million tonnes of coal reserves in the Godavari valley.

Also read: https://newsmeter.in/non-realisation-of-rs-9500crore-dues-puts-state-run-miner-in-a-fix/