Land acquisition Bill should include coal mining also: Karat

New Delhi: CPI(M) today said the proposed land acquisition Bill should include the aspect of coal mining also and the party would seek amendement to this effect when it comes up in Parliament. “The land acquisition Bill is lacking on coal mining issue. When the land is acquired for coal mining under Coal Mining Act, it does not get covered under the proposed Land Acquisition Act. So, the provisions of compensation, rehabilitation and other benefits are not applicable when the land is acquired for coal mining,” CPI(M) leader Prakash Karat said here. [caption id=“attachment_1062033” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  CPI(M) believes that coal mining should also be brought under the Land Acquisition Act. PTI. [/caption] “So, our demand is to include it in the proposed Land Acquisition Act and we will seek amendments to this effect in Parliament”, Karat said after a documentary show on coal mining here. The Colliery Mazdoor Sabha of India showed an half-an- hour film called “The Dark” depicting the condition and exploitation of mine workers. Taking note of pilferage of coal in these mines, Karat said “there are pilferages in the whole area of mining, illegal mining and the expolitaion of mine workers. “While we are arguing that coal mining which are nationalised should remain nationalised, the various corrupt practices including pilferage should be stopped. Government should take prompt steps to stop it,” he said. PTI