A delegation of the Communist Party of India (CPI) leaders on Wednesday urged Chief Minister N. Kiran Kumar Reddy to intervene in the ongoing strike by the Singareni Collieries Workers Union and settle the pending demands.
A delegation comprising MLA Sambasiva Rao, CPI State committee member Chada Venkata Reddy, CPI Floor leader in Council Jalli Wilson and MLC P.J. Chandrasekhar warned that if the government failed to respond, they would lay siege to the districts and launch indefinite fast.
Speaking to reporters after meeting the Chief Minister, Mr. Sambasiva Rao said despite holding talks with the management there was no solution. They charged that the management was trying its best to create differences among the striking workers and water down the agitation. Instead of finding a solution, the management was holding open meetings and threatening the workers, they alleged that out of the 47 demands the company was ready to redress only 16. Mr. Venkata Reddy said during the three day stir, the company has lost Rs. 50 crore revenue.
Share in profits
He said the miners were demanding 25 per cent share in the profits, setting right the service linked upgradation which has been stopped since January last. He said there should be transparency in promotions to mining, secretariat, para-medical, quality management and drilling staff. The CPI leaders demanded that the Singareni management should pay attention to providing improved medical, education and housing facilities. They wanted the management to construct new houses in Bhupalpalli, RG- 3, Srirampur and Sathupally for the workers.
