SCCL not keen on filling up vacancies, alleges union member

Kothagudem: It is really a great feat for Singareni Collieries Company Limited (SCCL) to create record in various sections like coal transportation, production and power supply. But the company is not at all interested in filling up the vacancies in various sections, which is making the staff and employees to face lots of troubles due to staff shortage.

The company is focusing on only targets of production and transportation of coal but neglecting recruitments to fill the vacanices in several sections, the union leaders criticised. The posts of retired staff and medically unfit were kept vacant for several years.

The company is alert in adopting new technology and in arranging machines in the mines to dig and transport coal. But lethargic in recruitments, they alleged. As per company records,  in 2007-08, the company had produced 40.6 tonnes coal with an employee strength of 75,573. In 2017-18, the company reached the target of producing 62.01 tonnes coal with 54,043 employees. These numbers clearly shows the increase in coal production and decrease in staff strength.

In 2008-09, coal prouction was 44.54 tonnes and employees were 70,586. in 2009-10, coal proudction was 50.43 tonnes and employees were 69,043. in 2010-11, coal production was 51.33 tonnes and employees were 67,043. in 2011-12, coal production was 52.21 tonnes and employees were 66.778. in 2013- 14, coal production was 50.47 tonnes and employees were 61,778. In 2014-15, coal proudction was 52.54 tonnes and employees were 58, 837. in 2015-16, coal production was 60.38 tonnes and employees were 58.491. in 2016-17, coal production was 61.34 tonnes and employees were 56,282.

And in the year 2017-18, the company had prouducted 62.01 tonnes with 54,043 employees. The company has appointed about 10,000 contract workers and outsourcing staff in all departments of the company. This clarifies that the company is not recruitmenting new employees and not filling up the posts of retired employees and other vacancies.  

As the company is following latest technology, it is using machines in mines and no need to recruit new employees, said Vanga Venkat, AITUC Central Committee leader.  Speaking to The Hans India, he said that the company is not filling vacancies from the last few years hence the staff was overburdened and stressed by the heavy work in the mines. They have been suffering from various ailments and stress also, he added. Venkat appealed the company to take up recruitment process in all sectors immediately.