In what can be termed as a shot in the arm for the NDA Government, Coal India ltd's (CIl) all the major trade unions have called off their proposed day-long strike which was scheduled for November 24.
The trade unions which consist of INTUC, CITU, HMS, BMS and All India Coal Workers Federation (AICWF)
had been opposing the Government's move to start e-auction of coal blocks through promulgation of an Ordinance, CIl's disinvestment and also its plan to allow commercial mining of coal.
According to official sources, the unions agreed to call off the agitation after hectic parleys with Coal Ministry officials which took place on Saturday in the national capital.
Sources privy to the development told The Pioneer that the unions agreed on a climbdown after the Coal
Ministry officials assured them that they would be taken into confidence and called for consultations whenever the Government decides to take a call on CIl's disinvestment and on implementing the enabling clause mentioned in the Ordinance (promulgated by it last month) to allow commercial mining of coal in the country.
The five unions which consist of AITUC, INTUC, B.... had threatened to strike work on Monday opposing the aforementioned measures initiated by the Centre.
CIl's disinvestment and plans for allowing commercial mining of coal in the near future, are two key reform measures of the NDA Government which are aimed at pushing the growth in the coal sector. CIl's unions' decision to call off their strike is therefore being seen as a victory for the Government's measures in the official circles.
Sources however had indicated that with lack of unity within the unions, the Government was confident of persuading them to call off their day-long strike