Shockwaves in coal belt area after High Court order

Source:- thehindu.com

Coal miners of the Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) and their children reacted in disbelief the High Court order striking down the revival of the long-pending dependent employment scheme and cancelling the recruitment process taken up by the management.

As news of the HC directive spread like wildfire, the coal belt areas of Khammam, Bhadradri Kothagudem, Bhupalpalli, Karimnagar, Kumuram Bheem Asifabad, and Peddapalli districts were a beehive of activity. Trade unions reacted sharply to the development, with the All-India Trade Union Congress (AITUC) secretary Y. Gattaiah in Peddapalli saying that it was not right to betray the unemployed children of coal miners after promising them jobs in the mines. He demanded that the government take measures to ensure that the Singareni management reissues fresh circular.

‘Come to agreement’

IFTU, Peddapalli unit, secretary Naresh said the recognised trade union should have come to an agreement with the Singareni management and the government so that there would have been no chance to approach the court. Telangana Boggu Ghani Karmika Sangham (TGBKS) leader K. Mallaiah said that they would approach Supreme Court.

In Bhupapalli district, trade unions and political parties found fault with the State government over the High Court’s decision. They opined that the State government had tried to gain mileage over the simple issue of revival of dependent employment that was stalled by the then Chief Minister, N. Chandrababu Naidu, in 2000 due to excess employees.

Speaking to The Hindu, AITUC deputy general secretary K. Raj Kumar said the government should have simply implemented the 1981 circular that said the dependent employment was stalled due to excess employment. “It should have said the circular is withdrawn as there is need for more employees in the company now rather than issuing a confusing 30-page document. The management and the State government lacked clarity on the issue,” he opined.

TDP leader Gandra Satyanarayana Rao said the intention of the Chief Minister was good but the government failed to implement the promise.