Coal Industry to Continue as Public Utility Svc for 6 More Months

New Delhi, Jan 10 (UNI) The Coal Industry will continue for another six months as a declared Public Utility Service, it was officially announced today.

The industry was declared a public utility service under the Industrial Disputes Act, 1947 on June 28 last and the fresh order takes effect from December 28 last, an official spokesperson here said.

The Coal Industry has been declared as a Public Utility Service in ''public interest'', the spokesperson observed.

As a result, the employees in this industry would, among other things, be required to give notice to their employer six weeks ahead of proceeding on strike so that conciliatory proceedings could be started.

During the conciliatory proceedings and seven days after their completion, the employees cannot go on strike, the spokesperson said.

UNI