Bengal CM writes to Modi, opposes 100 percent FDI in coal sector

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee on Friday opposed the Centre's move to allow 100 per cent foreign direct investment (FDI) in the country's coal sector, saying it would "send a wrong message".

"Allowing 100 per cent FDI in coal for MNCs will carry a wrong message as it would contradict the very essence of 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' and also kill the vision of self-reliant policy that we have been following since the beginning," she said in a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

She said in many under-developed and developed countries, there has been continuous resistance by the locals against any effort of their possible exploitation. As a result it would create a great impact on the domestic economy in the long run.

"As regards the possibility of multinational corporations bringing in new technologies in the thermal coal sector, it may be mentioned that relevant technologies are universally available in this sector and our companies are already using them widely," Banerjee said in the letter.

She also opposed to the Coal India Limited (CIL) decision to shift desk offices of four of its subsidiary companies -- Bharat Coking Coal Limited (BCCL), Central Coalfields Limited (CCL), South Eastern Coalfields Limited (SECL) and Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) -- from Kolkata to their respective headquarters in other areas.

"It will be extremely detrimental to the interest of all stakeholders of the coal sector, including the employees," she asserted.