Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 9: Chairman Legislative Council Haji Anayat Ali today ordered the constitution of House Committee to look into the issue of Kalakote coal mine workers, its functioning and viability.
The Chairman agreed for setting up of the Committee after the BJP Member from Rajouri, Vibodh Gupta and PDP member from Nowshera, Surinder Choudhary pressed for the same. They pleaded that successive Governments have failed to look into the genuine demands and issues of the coal mine workers at Mogla and Metka in Kalakote and they are facing starvation.
The issue was raised during ‘Question Hour’ by Vibodh Gupta, who sought reply from the Government. Minister of State for Health, H&UD and Industries, Asiea Naqash was replying. She claimed that work on the coal mines was started by JK Minerals Ltd during 1961. There are 622 employees/workers engaged at these mines. They are being provided Rs 5500 and Rs 6425 per month. The daily wagers are being provided Rs 172 and Rs 201 per day under two categories. She further claimed that there was no plans to regularize these workers. The minister also claimed that the workers had gone inside one km and there is no more coal. The Government may think for winding up the operations.
Upon this both the members lodged strong protest and asked the Government to respond and come to the rescue of these hapless workers who are being given a very meager wages. They said private labourers are getting Rs 400 per day and these hapless workers are being exploited and provided just Rs 200 and Rs 172.
Gupta said these workers after plying with their lives enter deep inside the coal mines and they are being given just peanut wages. He said that Government must conduct survey and it should go for expansion of this mine as economy of the area is connected with it. Surinder Choudhary said that Government should clear its stand whether to go for operation or wind it up. It should engage own agencies G&M experts for assessing coal reserves inside.
On the repeated pleas of these members with support of some others, the Chairman then announced setting up of House Committee. He said the names of the committee members will be announced shortly.
Follow our WhatsApp channel