NLC staff on fast as prelude strike

Cuddalore, July 3 (UNI) Employees of the Public Sector Neyveli Lignite Corporation (NLC) today launched a day's fast on the eve of their indefinite strike, protesting against the Centre's decision to disinvest ten per cent equity in NLC.

About 3,000 employees and officers who came for the first shift this morning began the hunger strike, while others were expected to join the stir this afternoon.

In all, about 19,000 employees, owing allegience to 19 trade unions, including the Labour Progressive Front, affiliated to the ruling DMK, a key constituent of the Congress-led UPA government at the Centre, have pledged to join the strike.

M R K Pannerselvam, state Minister belonging to the district, was also participating in the strike.

The employees began the 'work to rule' agitation on July one, after which, ten to 20 per cent of power generation was hit, union sources said, adding once the strike began tomorrow, power generation would come to a halt, affecting all the southern states.

Addressing the employees, I Nedumaran, President, Graduates Engineers Association, said NLC had assets worth Rs 46,000 crore and was earning profit for the last 30 years at an average of Rs 1000 crore a month. The Centre had no reason to go in for disinvestment.

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