According to a notification, the state government has extended the Orissa Essential Services (Maintenance) Act, 1988 or ESMA in the Mahanadi Coalfields Ltd (MCL) areas of Talcher by another six months, prohibiting strikes to ensure uninterrupted supply of coal to power plants. On May 15, 2019, the ESMA was clamped at MCLs Talcher coalfield areas to prevent frequent strikes that caused power generation difficulties. This was extended by the fresh notification to another six months.
The MCL area, which is prone to agitation, is being kept secure for the production, dispatch and transportation of coal for the public interest, an official said , adding that there have been frequent strikes last year and police have had a hard time maintaining law and order in the region.
As it is anticipated that this year too the situation will become unpredictable, the government has decided to extend the ESMA by six months with effect from May 16, the official said.
The notification mentioned that in all establishments of the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Kaniha Power Station and Talcher Thermal Power Station, all types of strikes are prohibited in services connected with generation and supply of power.
