Kolkata: Trade unions declined to participate in a meeting called by the Center to discuss their opposition to opening up the coal sector to private players by the central government, and said that they would be in power from July 2 to Coal India and SCCL I will proceed with a three-day nationwide strike.
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The unions have also taken exception to the bifurcation of Central Mine Planning and Design Institute Limited, a subsidiary of Coal India and acted as technical advisor.
BK Rai, leader of the Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh, said, "A joint secretary level meeting was called, but the trade unions have turned down the proposal. We are only open for talks with the coal secretary or coal minister."
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"The protest will not be stopped, it will be done as planned," said D. D. Ramanandan, General Secretary of AICWF.
Rai said that if the government does not accept our demands then we will take more strict steps.
Sources said the strike could cause a production loss of around four million tonnes.
Rai also alleged that there was corruption in mining through contractors in Coal India. In the March quarter, the company's contract costs rose sharply, along with finance costs.
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The Center has said that private players in the coal sector are a step in India's direction to achieve self-sufficiency.
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