Trinamool MP Kalyan Banerjee today spoke on the Coal Mines Ordinance, 2014 in Lok Sabha and demanded that the government send the Bill to Standing Committee.
Highlights of his speech:
- The Supreme Court has cancelled the allocation of coal blocks because they were illegal and arbitrary.
- The previous government did not act on the recommendation of Supreme Court.
- We are in favour of a transparent system. Auction is one such system.
- 80% coal goes to power sector for production of electricity. There should have been a government policy for coal distribution.
- Under the scheme of this Bill, no clear end-use policy has been specified.
- Whether power sector will get coal solely depends on the discretion of Central government.
- How power industry will get supply of coal? This is the major question which has not been specified in the Bill.
- From 1972 till 2014, coal miners have put up hard work to bring power sector to this level.
- The government is going for privatisation. Why are they ignoring their own company – Coal India? Why is government not strengthening Coal India and subsidiaries.
- There is uncertainty for coal supply to power sector. This is the concern of my party.
- Coal mines are the properties of States. Central government is not making any charity to the State govt.
- The confidence in the core industry about uninterrupted supply of coal is gone.
- If you bring FDI in all sectors, it will have disastrous effects.
- Sir, the entire Act does not speak anything about the workers. Owners mint money at the cost of labourers.
- I urge the Minister to include gas sector in the Bill. Production of gas through coal is an upcoming industry.
- Unless core industries are secured, this Bill will not achieve its purpose.
- This Bill must be referred to the Standing Committee.