Nationwide strike hits MCL effort to overcome production loss

Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) Tuesday said its effort to overcome production loss of 4.867 million tonne in the current fiscal suffered a jolt due to the nationwide strike called by various trade unions. Coal mining and supply operations remained paralysed in the company during the central trade union-called strike on Tuesday, MCL said in a statement.

Coal production of MCL, which is currently going at an average of 4.65 lakh tonne a day, would plunge further from its negative growth of 0.87 per cent to around 1.31 per cent during current fiscal due to loss of working hours in various mines if the bandh continues, it said. MCL had produced 101.575 million tonnes till January 7 against 102.465 produced during the same period previous financial year, it said adding even the loaded rail rakes were stopped from moving out of the MCLs coalfields on Tuesday.

The work stoppages due to disturbances in project areas of MCL, which contributes 25 per cent to the total production of Coal India, have been highest during this fiscal. Apart from MCL, production at other subsidiaries was near-normal on Tuesday, Coal India said.

(With inputs from agencies.)