KOLKATA | Feb 22, 2017: INTUC, one of the largest central trade unions at , has threatened to disrupt production and sale indefinitely from March 1 because the government has advised it to keep away from all committees at the PSU and its eight subsidiaries.

INTUC may be joined by rest of the central trade unions who resorted to similar threats because the government may soon divest an additional 10% in the company.

In a statement, INTUC said all central trade unions of Coal India would oppose the additional divestment.They would soon meet to chart an agitation plan that might also include a blanket stoppage of production and sales across Coal India.

"... It is obligatory that representatives of INTUC are not included in any committee in Coal India and its subsidiaries till further notice of the Delhi High Court," a letter issued by the coal ministry said.

The identity of INTUC was questioned by another faction at Coal India which claimed itself to be the real INTUC.

"The court has asked us to stay away from the salary negotiation committee. However, there is no indication in the court's interim stay on exclusion of INTUC from any other committee. Nevertheless, the coal ministry has advised Coal India to keep us out of any committees. This we feel is unjust and intend to oppose this move," said SQ Zama, secretary general of Indian National Mineworkers' Federation ­ a union affiliated to INTUC.

"We would launch a non-cooperative drive that will include blockade of dispatch of coal and production process including those handled by outsourced and contractual agencies."

The Indian National Mineworkers' Federation, on behalf of other central trade unions said the move of additional 10% stake divestment in Coal India will be opposed strongly and in unity by coal employees and its trade unions.

“The operating central trade unions in Coal India may launch unrelenting agitation including paralysing coal despatch and production indefinitely. Central trade unions in the coal industry and in Coal India will soon meet to decide a course of action opposing selling of additional stake in Coal India,“ Zama said.

(Source: http://economictimes.indiatimes.com/)