The Hindu Business Line : PM intervention sought to end NLC stir

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Mr M Karunanidhi on Monday sought the immediate intervention of Prime Minister Mr Manmohan Singh in finding a solution to the indefinite stir of the Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) contract workers who are demandi ng regularisation of services, among other things.

In a letter to Mr Singh, a copy of which was made available to the press, Mr Karunanidhi said power-generation to the tune of 750 mw a day was disrupted due to the strike, "which has affected the State."

Drawing his attention to the fact that the Government of India owned the NLC, Mr Karunanidhi requested the immediate intervention of the Prime Minister in finding "amicable solution" to the issue.

Mr Karunanidhi also expressed fears that the "the labour unrest in NLC is likely to spread to other areas also," if the issue was not sorted out. About 13,000 contract workers have been on strike for the last eight days and have even resorted to blocking rail services as part of their agitation.

The workers other demands include provision of housing, medical and transport allowances and bonus. Meanwhile, Mr A R Venugopal, Assistant Chief Manager, NLC Thermal Unit said at Neyveli that power generation was affected in all three thermal stations wh ose total capacity was 2490 mw.

Only 1028 mw of power was generated, he said. The strike has also affected lignite excavation. The Cuddalore district unit of AITUC, CPI's trade union wing, staged a road roko in support of the workers stir. About 900 activists were taken into custody, police said. - PTI

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