[Marxistindia] On privatisation of coal mines

[news from the cpi(m)]

February 21, 2018

Press Statement

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) has issued the
following statement:

On Privatisation of Coal Mines

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) condemns the
decision taken by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs to open up
coal mining to Indian and foreign companies in the private sector. This is
part of the aggressive pursuit of neo-liberal economic policies by the
Narendra Modi government. Till now the private sector was permitted to
mine the fossil fuel only for captive use i.e. utilised only for the
industry for which the allocation of the block was done. Surplus coal
needed to be sold to Coal India Ltd at the notified price.

This decision of the Modi government to privatise the coal mining sector
while undermining the energy security of the country will compromise with
the safety and security of workers engaged in coal mines. Trade unions and
the Left parties have been consistently voicing their opposition to this
dangerous move.

The Polit Bureau of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) calls upon all
democratic sections of the people to oppose this move and demand its
withdrawal.



(Hari Singh Kang)
For Central Committee Office