CIL unions to meet Goyal tomorrow, may discuss disinvestment

Four CTUs of coal sector had earlier given notice to go on strike on March 29 against disinvestment

Five worker unions of state-owned CIL will meet Coal and Power Minister Piyush Goyal tomorrow to deliberate on various issues, including disinvestment.

Four central trade unions (CTUs) of the coal sector had earlier given notice to go on strike on March 29.

"Coal and Power Minister Piyush Goyal will hold meeting with the five workers unions of Coal India on March 14," Indian National Mine Workers' Federation (INTUC) Secretary General S Q Zama said.

Zama further said that during the meeting there would be deliberations on national issues including disinvestment.

"There is also likeliness that the issue of coal evacuation may also crop up during the discussion," he added.

The government had earlier said the unions are protesting divestment of the coal PSU, among other issues.

The proposed strike is likely to hit the production of the coal behemoth.

An official had earlier said the 10 per cent stake sale in Coal India (CIL) is likely to be deferred to next fiscal as the government wants to wait for stability in the equity markets for a better valuation.

The government had last sold 10 per cent in the blue-chip on January 31, 2015, at the floor price of Rs 358 apiece and garnered Rs 22,557 crore.

In November last year, the Cabinet approved 10 per cent stake sale in Coal India.

The government currently owns 79.65 per cent in the maharatna public sector unit.