The Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) has clarified that the demand raised for Rs 3 crore and a permanent job in MCL to each of the deceased in the Bharatpur mines accident by the agitating villagers, now stalling all works in eight mines of Talcher, is not only illogical but illegal, which cannot be fulfilled.
Notably, following the call-off of stir by the BJP after the district administration and MCL authorities assured of fulfilling their demands on safety and compensation issues, the local villagers have been holding siege to the eight mines of MCL in Talcher with various demands, including compensation of Rs 3 crore to each deceased’s kin, and a permanent job in the MCL to a family member.
Due to the agitation, while mining works have been paralysed, the MCL establishment as well as the State and Central Government have incurred huge losses.
A MCL release on Friday said, “The closure of the mines not only has incurred huge losses to the company, the State and Central exchequer but also affected the income of the 15,000 workers of MCL, 12,000 contractual workers, 10,000 truck drivers and khalasis of private trucks plying coal in Talcher coalfields besides the business interest of around 5,000 medium and small businessmen. The entire blockade has thus affected the earnings of around more than 40,000 families of Talcher for which the responsibility lies on the people behind the blockade.”
Meanwhile, the MCL management has clarified that under the CIL Policy adopted in all coal mines of Coal India, an ex-gratia of Rs 5 lakh is given. In addition, compensation as due per the Employees Compensation (Amendment) Act 2017 wherein it ranges from Rs 4 lakh to Rs 9 lakh, gratuity and Provident Fund are given. In addition Coal India also offers a job to the deceased family in contractual works. With the State Government handing over an additional Rs 5 lakh ex-gratia, the total compensation amount comes to around Rs 14-19 lakh in the case.
The MCL also fears that due to forceful closure of the mines, especially during the monsoon season, all mines have become vulnerable to subsidence, fire accident, electrocution due to non-release of rain water and under-ground water and dump slide etc.
This is because the agitators are not allowing any safety check and regular maintenance over last few days.