Left Trade Unions firm against outsourcing in collieries: Brinda Karat

RANCHI: The Left trade unions are firm against outsourcing in the collieries of Coal India Limited, CPI(M) Politburo leader Brinda Karat said today but disagreed that the TUs were responsible following strikes in support of their demands.

" CITU has stood firmly against outsourcing...and the coal industry has been registering profits, indicating there is no problem with trade unions," Karat said here in reply to a query on whether the TUs hitting production in collieries by their strikes and agitations.

Referring to yesterday's cave in a BCCL mine near Dhanbad which has claimed three lives, she said outsourcing in the mining areas had become 'dangerous'.

"The situation has become dangerous in coal mining areas following outsourcing ... Blasting in opencast mines is not bothered about by the mining sector," she said.

Releasing a report 'Fanning a Fire in Jharia : Reap Windfall Profits and Loot the Coal' authored by Smita Gupta, Karat said she had met Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren today and submitted a memorandum highlighting among others non-implementation of Jharia Action Plan.

"...The rampant open cast mining in neighbouring areas through outsourcing to private companies who defy all norms and regulations concerning blasting...are the main reasons for the continuing dangers faced in coal mining operations," said the memorandum.

She said the chief minister's intervention was sought in demanding proper measures by BCCL.