SHILLONG, Dec 24 : The sudden reduction of coal price by the Mawmluh Cherra Cement Limited (MCCL), without prior discussion with coal suppliers, has severely affected the livelihood of around 78 coal suppliers and 2000 labourers working in the coal mines of Sohra.

Speaking at a press conference here today, the Sohra Block Committee of the Nationalist Congress Party brought it to notice of the reporters that on November 29, a letter was issued by the managing director of MCCL ordering the reduction of coal price from Rs 2,800 to Rs 1,650 per tonne.

Stating that according to agreement between the MCCL and coal suppliers, bills must be cleared within a week, president of the Nationalist Youth Congress in East Khasi hills Alan West Kharkongor said, “To add to the suffering of the people involved directly and indirectly in the coal supply business, bills were not cleared for the past four weeks.”

In this regard, the NCP has already submitted a memorandum to Chief Minister Donkupar Roy for taking immediate action by clarifying as to why the rate of coal was reduced, to invite coal suppliers for threadbare discussion on the issue, to maintain the earlier rate of Rs 2,800 till an agreement is reached between the MCCL and the coal suppliers in view of the festive season, release all pending bills be cleared with immediate effect and that the MCCL henceforth should convene meetings with coal suppliers before taking such decisions in the future.

Unable to meet the expenses, coal miners are now in dire straits with the sudden price reduction in the festive season.