The Railway Ministry has decided to curtail non-essential train services with immediate effect in order to conserve its stocks of coal. This has been done following the refusal by a section of big colliery owners to offer coal except at unreasonably high prices, and the total stoppage of supplies during the last six days. The curtailment of train services which is now being enforced will be restored as soon as the situation created by the unreasonable attitude of the Joint Working Committee of the Colliery Owners’ Association improves. While the Railways have been compelled to take this decision, they would like to assure the general public that all essential movements like foodgrains, petroleum and oil products as well as the more important passenger services will be maintained in full. A Press note issued by the Ministry says in working out its prices of coal, the Joint Working Committee has also added totally extraneous elements. It may be added that a steep increase in the prices of coal for the Railways will also have a serious effect on the cost structure of a host of industries, particularly steel, cement and power generation, and millions of householders who use coal as a domestic fuel. It will thus affect the whole economy. Some collieries have offered to supply coal at rates substantially lower than those quoted by the Joint Working Committee. The National Coal Development Corporation and the Singareni Collieries are continuing to supply the maximum amount of coal they can. But the Joint Working Committee has shown no inclination to reduce the rate to a reasonable figure. The Railways have no intention of accepting the unreasonable increase in prices demanded by this cartel.
