File Photo: PM Modi with Tamil Nadu Chief Minister Jayalalithaa (Press Trust of India; Image used for representational purpose)
A delegation of AIADMK MPs today sought Prime Minister Narendra Modi's intervention for the "amicable" settlement of an ongoing strike by the workers of Neyveli Lignite Corporation Ltd (NLC) which has now continued for over a month.
The meeting comes two days after Tamil Nadu Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa wrote to the Prime Minister urging him to ask the Ministry of Coal to immediately look into the grievances of the NLC workers and settle the issue at the earliest.
Around 13,000 regular employees of NLC are on a strike since July 20 demanding wage revision. The unions are demanding 24 per cent increase in wages while NLC has agreed to give only 10 per cent.
Briefing reporters after their meeting with Mr Modi, senior AIADMK leader and Lok Sabha Deputy Speaker M Thambi Durai said that the Prime Minister had assured them that he would speak to the officials concerned in this regard.
"The Prime Minister told us he would speak to the officials concerned and take the necessary steps for extending the required assistance to the workers," Mr Thambi Durai said.
Later, the delegation of the 48 party MPs from Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha also met Coal and Power Minister Piyush Goyal, demanding that he ensure that the quantum of power supply to Tamil Nadu from NLC is not affected.
According to Thambi Durai, Mr Goyal told the delegation that his ministry would take immediate steps to convene a meeting between the NLC management and employees' unions to resolve any issues.
"Tamil Nadu is receiving 1450-MW power from NLC. We urged him (Goyal) to ensure that the power supply is not affected," he added.