Coal news and updates

MCL’s output, despatches hit by local protests

March 31: Production and despatches from Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd’s (MCL’s) Talcher area remained affected on March 30 and also on March 31 due to protests by locals demanding funds for implementation the state government initiated “Ahaar Yojana”.

The total loss of production on March 30 was 1.07 lakh tons while disruption in despatches was to the extent of 1.28 lakh tons, an official from the company said, adding, overburden (OB) removal was affected to the extent of 84,000 tons.

However, work reportedly resumed after 7 pm on March 30, but further details were awaited.

On March 30, ICMW had reported, quoting a source, that work in the Talcher area was stopped from 5.30 am (first shift) following protests by locals instigated by political parties who were aggrieved at MCL’s decision to turn down a proposal to provide funds for the state government initiated scheme.

The Odisha government recently introduced “Ahaar Yojana” wherein corporates in the state were to provide meals to urban poor at only Rs 5 per day.

MCL was supposed to contribute around Rs 3 crore per annum to the scheme, but a proposal to this effect was rejected by its board of directors at a recent meeting.

The board, particularly the independent directors, were of the view that the scheme is very complicated to implement as it is difficult to identify urban poor and then arrange for distribution of food packets, the sources said.