Willing to withdraw strike if Centre accepts Tamil Nadu government plan

NEYVELI: Trade unions opposed to the Centre's move to divest five per stake in Neyveli Lignite Corporation began an indefinite fast on Saturday even as they showed flexibility.

They indicated willingness to withdraw their 11 day strike in 24 hours if the Centre accepts Tamil Nadu's proposal to purchase the stake.

Speaking to reporters, R Udayakumar, Secretary, Anna Workers and Staff Union, said Prime Minister Manmohan Singh's letter to Chief Minister Jayalalithaa had not cleared the doubts and misgivings of NLC workers.

"If the Prime Minister accepts the proposal of the Chief Minister and gives a clear cut statement, NLC unions will consider withdrawing the strike within 24 hours," he said.

Yesterday, Singh had asked Jayalalithaa to depute a senior officer before Aug 8 to discuss the state's plan to purchase five per cent stake in NLC.

He had also said her suggestion that Tamil Nadu state PSUs purchase five per cent out of Union government's shareholding in NLC has been discussed with SEBI.

The market regulator had stated there is a possibility for a State Industrial Development Corporation to participate in an IPP, "possibly with some preference".

Singh said fears that five per cent disinvestment would lead to its privatisation is "unfounded and devoid of facts".

He assured the public sector character of NLC will not be affected at all as long as government of India continues to hold more than 51 per cent of the shareholding in NLC.

About 174 workers began the indefinite fast while about 30,000 workers, including 13,000 contract employees are on strike since July 3 demanding the Centre withdraw its decision to sell its stake as part of disinvestment process.

However, about 7,000 NLC engineers and officers and the thermal power station attached to them are not participating in the strike.

Meanwhile an NLC press release said power generation from the three thermal units stood at between 2,300 to 2,330 MW today against the total capacity of 2490 MW.