Coal Union Workers across India call off Strike

The proposed five-day strike called by Coal Union workers across India, has been called off tonight after the government made it clear that there is no such move of denationalisation of Coal India Ltd. (CIL). The strike, which began yesterday, had threatened a major power crisis in the country.

Coal and Power Minister Piyush Goyal assured the Coal Unions that no employees will be affected in any manner at the CIL. The interests of CIL will be protected and there should not be any iota of doubt about its ownership, he said.

Suthirtha Bhattacharya, who recently took over as the new Chairman of Coal India, heaved a sigh of relief, as the impasse was over. He had a major challenge in hand to deal with the crisis. The strike had the support of all five major unions, including the BJP-backed Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS).

The workers were protesting against the disinvestment in Coal India and denationalisation of coal mining. Around five lakh workers had participated in the strike, leading to a loss of Rs 300 crore in two days. The decision to call off the strike, was made following a six-hour-long marathon meeting between Goyal, unions and CIL officials.