MCL fears output loss due to villagers' protest

Coal India subsidiary Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) fears coal production loss of 1,00,000 tonne per day at its key mining sites due to protest by nearby villagers over displacement issues.

The villagers plan to launch their agitation from tomorrow over their demand to be shifted to a nearby area other than a place recommended by MCL.

“Country may face daily shortage of about one lakh tonne coal from MCL following the bandh call from tomorrow given by villagers in Angul district of Odisha, demanding resettlement at coal bearing land instead of existing site provided the state government,” the coal miner said in a statement. The protest is likely to hamper coal production as well as supply to the power producers within and outside Odisha, many of whom have reached critical level coal stock, it added.

MCL said, it had persuaded the villagers for relocation to a designated site, but they demanded to be shifted to a nearby site surrounded by three main mining projects of the company, namely Bhubneswari, Lingraj and Ananta. The company also offered many options to the villagers, including shifting to any place of their choice other than coal bearing area and cash compensation in lieu of authorised plot at the identified resettlement site, but the villagers have not changed the position, the release said.

“Since many power plants across the country are facing fuel shortage, MCL has appealed to the protesting villagers not to resort to protests, causing obstruction to coal mining operations and add to the woes of general people,” the statement said.