The disinvestment of 10 per cent stake of CIL (Coal India Limited) has started today, despite strong opposition by the workers unions. The floor price is fixed at Rs.358 per share and the government is expected to garner around Rs. 22,000 crore to the exchequer

A country wide protest demonstration is being held today by the 5 central unions as a mark of protest against the disinvestment and future programme of agitation is also on the anvil. The trade unions have accused the government that this move is in violation of the assurances given to them by the Union Coal Minister on the basis of which the five days strike was called off on the second day of the strike.