Title: Demanded withdrawal of the bill which has been introduced in the Rajya Sabha concerning privatisation of the coal industry.
SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA: Mr. Speaker, Sir, all the Central Trade Unions of coal workers have served a strike notice for seven days from the 7th of May to 14th of May against the Government’s decision to privatise coal mines and open coal mines to the private sector as well as multi-national companies.
Sir, coal industry was nationalised in 1973. Since then, this industry has done immense work and the production of coal has increased. Coal industry was in the hands of the private sector prior to 1973. They resorted to unscientific mining and slaughter mining. As a result of that, there had been a number of mining accidents during that period, and coal industry was nationalised. Now, the Government has decided to open coal mines to the private sector ignoring the demands of the public sector as well as the workers.
Sir, I demand that the Bill, which has been introduced in the other House, should be withdrawn.
Coal mines should not be privatised. They should not be handed over to the private sector and multi-national companies. The rebate to the extent of 10 per cent has been allowed to the imported coal. As a result of this, the price of imported coal is less than the indigenous coal. I demand that the rebate which is allowed for the imported coal should be withdrawn. Coal is coming from Australia and South Africa.
MR. SPEAKER: Shri Basu Deb Acharia, please conclude.
SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA0: Previously, seven million tonnes of coal was to be imported.… (Interruptions)
THE MINISTER OF PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS AND MINISTER OF INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SHRI PRAMOD MAHAJAN): He has shifted from the issue of trade unions to the import of coal.
MR. SPEAKER: He is not concluding.
SHRI BASU DEB ACHARIA: Now in the regime of swadeshi, this has been increased to 24 million tonnes. It is not only for the steel industry but also for other industries like thermal power plants. I demand that this rebate given for the imported coal should be withdrawn. The mines which have a reserve of coal should not be closed down. The Sixth National Coal Wage Agreement which is overdue, should be settled immediately. Then the budgetary support which has been stopped, should be restored. The Bill which has been introduced to hand over the coal industry to the private sector, should be withdrawn.
अध्यक्ष महोदय: मि. जसवन्त संह बिश्नोई, चूंकि आपका मैटर ला-एंड-आर्डर से संबंधित है इसलिए आप इसे यहां नहीं उठा सकते हैं।
The House stands adjourned to meet again at 2.10 p.m.
1306 hours
The Lok Sabha then adjourned for Lunch till ten minutes
past Fourteen of the Clock.
——-
The Lok Sabha re-assembled after Lunch at thirty five minutes
past Fourteen of the Clock.
(Shrimati Margaret Alva in the Chair)
1435 hrs