DOOMDOOMA, Sept 1 - Fears of an uncertain future stalks the employees of the North Eastern Coal Field. This situation prevailed after an order was received from the Head Office of North Eastern Coal Field situated in Kolkata, which stated that the labourers and employees of Margherita Coal Field would be transferred to other coal mines of the country. The order has become a matter of concern for the labourers and the employees of Margherita coal field. Similarly, it has also become a matter of concern for the public of Ledo, Margherita area as this coal field is the driving force of the socio-economic sector of this region.
The labourers and employees of Tikok, Tirap, Tipong, Ledo, Borgolai, Namdang and Margherita coal mines led by the coal mines trade unions brought out a protest march from Margherita India Club to North Eastern Coal Field Office at Margherita and registered their strong protest against this decision of the Head Office. They vehemently opposed the �conspiracy� to destroy this profitable public sector industry.
Talking to media persons, trade union leader Bharat Bhushan Borthakur said, �The 135-year- old coal industry is now struggling for existence. The future of this industry which has been contributing enormously to the energy sector of the country and contributing Rs 120 crore annually to the government treasury is at stake. Due to the negligence of a section of bureaucrats of the State government, the future of Margherita Coal Field is heading towards uncertainty. For the last two years, this public sector industry has been suffering from losses. If , for any reason this industry is to close down, over one lakh families of Margherita subdivision will be directly or indirectly affected.�
�For extension of the coal mines in Lekhapani and Tikok region, the North Eastern Coal Field authority deposited an amount of Rs 56 crore in the government treasury as per the norms of Forest Rules about one and half year ago. But, it is yet to receive permission from the Forest Department,� Borthakur added.
�For the proposed coal based industry at Lekhapani, the State government has allotted Coal India Ltd, 235 hectares of land and the coal authority deposited Rs 42 crore in the State government�s treasury for the same. But , the allotted land is encroached by Arunachal Pradesh,� said Borthakur.
Borthakur urged the State government to take some immediate measures to revive this industry. He also threatened to start a massive agitation if the government failed to take steps in this regard.
