A trespasser goat costs Rs 2.68 cr to MCL in Odisha!

Talcher: It’s surprising but true. A goat can also cost a company Rs 2.68 crore!

Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) on Monday suffered this cost on account of stoppage of coal transportation and despatch work at Jaganath Sidings in Talcher coalfields following the death of a goat in an accident.

Some people from Chatia Hurtings village created a ruckus and protested against the killing of a goat in an accident with a coal transportation tipper in the prohibited mining area.

Jaganath Sidings 1 & 2 were forcibly stopped by villagers in the morning demanding Rs 60,000 compensation.

Operations could be resumed only after the intervention of senior officials and police, and this three-and-a-half-hours illegal stoppage by the villagers caused an estimated loss of Rs 1.4 crore on account of coal transportation to the sidings and Rs 1.28 crore on account of despatch through railways, said an MCL release.

Besides an estimated loss of Rs 2.68 crore to MCL, the government exchequer also suffered an estimated loss to the tune of Rs 46 lakh due to this unprecedented stoppage, it said.

The company has lodged an FIR to the local police for necessary action against those who have created illegal obstruction.

“Such illegal obstructions to the coal mining operations not only play a negative role in the economic growth of a nation but also put hurdles to country’s aspiration of becoming a 5 trillion dollar economy,” the MCL said.

While coal mines are restricted working zones where only the people authorised, trained and having the knowhow of the mines enter to perform their job, the entry to mine areas is totally prohibited for general movement.

However, some people from the peripheral localities deliberately trespassing into the coal mine and overburden areas to pick coal, firewood and even graze their livestock remains a cause of concern.