Strike by around 14,000 contract workers of Neyveli Lignite Corporation has led to a 600-MW shortfall in power generation since this morning and affected lignite production, an NLC official said.
The indefinite strike entered the sixth day on Thursday. NLC Deputy Engineer, Mr Paneerselvam, said 1,890 MW was generated today out of NLC's total capacity of 2,490 MW.
Over 80 per cent of lignite production in Mine 1 and 1A had been affected. Lignite production today was 9,000 tonnes against the daily production of 45,000 tonnes, he said.
He said special mining equipment like giant bucket wheel excavators have not been overhauled due to the strike and are not operational. Most of the striking workers are at the maintenance section of the mines and thermal units, he said.
The workers are demanding regularisation of their services in a phased manner and implementation of the ‘equal pay for equal work' formula among other things.