CIL to form panel to look into pay conflict; PSU executives postpone demonstration

New Delhi: Coal PSU Executives have postponed the demonstration that was initially planned for October 30 as they have received an assurance from Coal India Ltd’s (CIL) management that their grievances will be looked into. In a statement released on Wednesday, the All India Association of Coal Executives (AIACE) and All India Coal Pensioners Association (AICPA) said that they have decided to temporarily postpone the day-long demonstration before Coal India Ltd’s headquarters in Kolkata. PK Singh Rathor, convenor, AIACE and AICPA, said that the organisation has decided to postpone the demonstration after receiving a positive response from the management on the issue of pay conflict.

CIL to form committee to look into pay conflict post NCWA-XI

The AIACE said that a booklet outlining the demands of the executives in coal PSUs regarding pay conflict after the implementation of the NCWA-XI, revision of pension, issues under CPRMSE etc was handed over to CIL Chairman and Managing Director (CMD) PM Prasad. “The meeting was very cordial and the Chairman gave a patient hearing to our concerns. He appreciated our proposal to resolve the pay conflict by the formation of a committee to look into the matter and suggest measures for redressal. He said that minimum pension of Rs 1,000 per month had been agreed upon recently. It was suggested by AIACE/AICPA to link the voluntary contribution by coal producers to the sale price of coal instead of Rs 10/20 per tonne,” said the AIACE in the statement.

“During discussions with the Chairman, CIL, D(P&IR) and other officials, AIACE/AICPA members were assured that action will be taken on the issues raised by AIACE/AICPA. It emerged that desired steps have been initiated for the resolution of our demands. Being satisfied with these developments, the CIL management was informed that these developments will be discussed in the General Body meeting of AIACE for deciding the future course of action,” it added.

What is the pay conflict about?

The pay conflict arose after the CIL management signed a wage agreement with its non-executive workforce in May this year. As Coal India agreed to offer a 19 percent of minimum guaranteed benefit from July 1, 2021, on emoluments — basic, Variable Dearness Allowance (VDA), Special Dearness Allowance (SDA) and attendance bonus — besides a 25 percent increase in allowances to non-executives, their salary became higher than that of the executives. The issue was flagged by the AIACE which said that the conflict in the salaries of the executive and the non-executive workforce will affect the morale of the PSU’s officers.

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