Steering committees of five central coal sector trade unions are meeting on October 31 for the next course of action for the proposed de-nationalisation of the sector.

“The steering committee of 5 CTUs will meet on October 31 at Ranchi to decide future course of action to combat the proposed gradual de-nationalisation of coal mines by way of allowing commercial mining by private sector,” Indian National Mine Workers’ Federation Secretary-General S Q Zama told PTI.

He said under no circumstances the unions will compromise on allowing commercial mining by private sector which is nothing but de-nationalisation of coal sector.

“We will put our all strength and do whatever is needed, including long-term strikes,” Zama said.

He said that along with other issues, he will also try to build a consensus on not allowing private sector executives for the race for the post of chairman.

According to sources, the government might conduct the interview on November 18. The last date for application is October 29 and so far three candidates have sent their applications.

These include R Mohan Das, Director-Personnel and Industrial Relations, N Kumar, Director-Technical from CIL and Gopal Singh, CMD of CIL subsidiary Central Coalfields.

There is no information about any private sector applicant for the post.

The CIL chairman’s post has been lying vacant since the retirement of S Narsing Rao in May and is currently managed by the Additional Secretary in the coal ministry A K Dubey.

The Prime Minister’s Office has directed the Coal Ministry to set up a search-cum-selection committee to choose the candidate and carry out the appointment process through the Public Enterprise Selection Board (PSEB).

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