The AITUC-affiliated Singareni Collieries Workers Union launched an indefinite strike in the entire Singareni mines from Monday morning in support of their 47-point charter of demands.

The company however reported “near-normal” production, as it had made adequate preparations in the last week to increase production from its open cast mines.

“Although there was a shortfall of about 12,000 in production from our underground mines, we could make it up by increased production from open cast sources,” Mr S. Narsing Rao, SCCL Chairman and Managing Director, told Business Line .

The demands of the union include service-linked promotions, provision of alternative employment and wage protection to the operators of dumpers declared medically unfit.

Mr Rao said the company will be maintaining its daily despatch rate to power plants. He said attendance in the underground mines was less by about 50 per cent during the day on account of the strike, while that in open cast mines was near normal.

Meanwhile, the Regional Labour Commissioner-led tripartite talks between the management and the union are continuing.

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