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Coal India: Once the production was 70 million tonnes, now the target is 720 million tonnes.
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special on foundation day
Rakesh Verma, Bermo: Coal India will celebrate its foundation day on 1st November. Before nationalization, Coal India produced only 70 million tonnes of coal. It currently increases to 780 million tonnes (2023-34). In this, three-fourth (more than 80 percent) production is being outsourced. Coal India’s production target has been set at one billion tonnes by the year 2025. Today, Coal India is the largest coal producing company in the public sector in the world. The Government of India holds 90 percent shares in Coal India. In April 2011, the Government of India gave it the status of Maharatna company. Today Coal India has become the fifth most important company. To meet the energy needs of India, the coal industry was nationalized in the 70s. Before nationalization, private mine owners were exploiting natural resources poorly. After nationalization, coal mining started in a scientific manner as per the demand of the country. During the time of mine owners, coal workers were exploited. After nationalization their standard of living improved. Coal India was able to supply prime coking coal to the steel and power plants of the country as per the demand.
Nationalization of coal industry took place in two phases.
The coal industry was nationalized in two phases in the 1970s. In 1972, 226 coking coal mines (from BCCL) and 711 non-coking coal mines (from Coal Mines Authority Ltd.) were nationalized. Coal India was formed on 1 November 1975. From 1975 to 2010, the Government of India had 100 percent stake in Coal India. In October 2010, Coal India earned Rs 24 thousand crore by selling 10 percent shares at the rate of Rs 245 per share. This was India’s second largest collection in IPO. After this, in 2014-15, the government earned about Rs 20 thousand crore by selling another 10 percent shares. Till now a total of 32 percent disinvestment has been done in Coal India. Coal India currently has 81 mining areas in eight states. At the time of nationalization, Coal India had 937 coal mines. At present there are about 354 OC and UG mines. Coal India also has a total of 17 coal washeries. It has 12 coking coal washeries and five non-coking coal washeries. Out of these, five-six washeries have been closed. There are about 200 other establishments in Coal India, which include workshops and hospitals.
There used to be seven lakh manpower
At the time of nationalization, the manpower of Coal India was seven lakh. Today it has come to Rs 2.32 lakh. At the same time, the number of contract laborers working in outsource is around one and a quarter lakh, whereas Coal India’s figure is only around 90 thousand.
Production started from Raniganj in 1774
The history of coal mining in India is very old. The British East India Company started commercial mining of coal in 1774 at Raniganj on the western bank of the Damodar River. The demand for coal increased with the introduction of steam-powered trains in 1953. After this the production of coal increased to approximately one million metric tons annually. By 1942, annual production reached million metric tons, by 1946 it reached 30 million metric tons. At the time of nationalization in 1972-73, production increased to 74 million metric tons annually. After the nationalization of the coal industry, for the first time on 01.01.1975, NCWA-1 agreement was signed for the coal workers. At that time, the basic per month of Category One laborers was only Rs 260 (Rs 10 per day). Whereas according to the agreement of NCWA-11, the basic of Category-1 workers is Rs 39069 per month.
question of preserving public character
AITUC leader and JBCCI Member Lakhanlal Mahato says that Coal India is moving towards privatization again. Outsourcing and MDO are starting at a fast pace. The process of giving 162 coal mines, CHP and washeries on lease to private owners has been started. Today it is a question of preserving the public nature of Coal India. To produce one billion tonnes by 2025, 20 thousand hectares of additional land will be required. Coal India’s own reserves of about Rs 62 thousand crore have been taken by the Central Government.
Many programs will be organized on the foundation day
On the foundation day of Coal India, many programs will also be organized in B&K, Dhori and Kathara areas of CCL. There will be Prabhat Pheri, affidavit, flag hoisting, distribution of sweets, cultural programme, essay and debate competition for school children etc. The General Manager offices of all three areas have been decorated for the Foundation Day celebrations.