Kolkata, Jan 12: Union Minister for Coal and Mines Mamata Banerjee today said that the proposed indefinite strike by coal miners and employees from February 23 was withdrawn today following her talks with the union leaders. During the talks with leaders of five trade unions, the minister announced 15 per cent interim relief for miners and employees and declared no collieries would be closed and no retrenchment would be made in the coal sector.
Addressing a rally here after attending a high-level meeting in which coal India chairman Sashi Kumar and Union Coal Secretary P K Mishra were present, Banerjee said that coal miners and employees would get 15 per cent interim relief from January one.
"The leaders of the five trade Unions in the coal sector who met me are pleased and we are also happy. The strike has been withdrawn", she said. She said that "there are six lakh miners and employees in the coal India. They have threatened continuous strike. I think their problems are genuine".

Banerjee promised revival of the sick Bharat Coaking Coal Ltd and eastern Coalfields Ltd which she said were with the board for industrial and financial reconstruction since 2001.
She said that she would take up the modernisation and expansion of the two sick public sector undertakings. The safety measures would also be strengthened.


"Internal decisions can be taken by the department for these two coal India subsidiaries", she said.
Bureau Report