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NEW DELHI: The country's largest coal miner, Coal India Ltd, expects the government to exempt its mining labourers from paying tax on housing allowance in the Union Budget, a move which will save Rs 144 crore for the workers in a year.

The company said such a move will motivate its non- executive employees “working in difficult conditions” and encourage them to stay in houses of their choice rather than the government-provided accommodation.

“We expect the government to exempt our employees from paying tax on housing perquisites. On average, every year our non-executive workers pay about Rs 144 crore to the government on account of such tax. Exemption will motivate our employees, working and living in difficult conditions,” CIL Chairman, Mr P S Bhattacharyya said.

The company employs about 4.16 lakh people, of whom about 3 lakh non-executive workers stay in government accommodation, he said, adding, the tax outflow on housing stands at about Rs 400 per head per month, which could be done away with.

The workers are paid about Rs 15,000 a month. “For a company which pays around Rs 6,000 crore as corporation tax, it's not a (big thing to ask for). The workers will not be forced to live in the provided accommodation,” he added. - PTI

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