Two mega coal mines at Talcher closed

The visit of Coal India Chairman to Talcher last week to give a boost to coal production of Mahanadi Coalfield Ltd (MCL), which has been hit by series of agitations by locals and transporters during this fiscal, has had little impact on improvement in operation in this coal company.

Two mega coal mines at Talcher have remained closed for last seven days by agitating villagers of Kalamchuin demanding immediate jobs to 631 persons in lieu of their land. Coal production and dispatch from Hingula and Balaram have come to a grinding halt due to the agitation by the villagers at several key points of these two mines.

According to Hingula area general manager, S. Sribastav, the total production loss in these two mines was about 5 lakh tonnes till Thursday. The coal dispatch to various destinations in the country has been affected due to this strike.

He said, MCL is ready to give jobs to the land losers provided the villagers vacuate their homes. So far, 44 out of 631 project affected persons have been given jobs after they demolished their houses, he added.

But the striking villagers said, they would not demolish their houses until the rehabilitation site is ready. They rejected MCL demand to first demolish their homes before getting offer of appointment.