BCCL officials at the programme in Kusunda last December

Dhanbad, Jan. 10: After appeals bordering on threats, the administration of BCCL has decided to continue with spiritual counselling of its employees to increase productivity.

A subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL), Dhanbad-based Bharat Coking Coal has been conducting a counselling-cum-motivation programme since December 11 last year for bringing about lifestyle changes among its employees, many of whom are victims of various kinds of addictions including liquor and drugs.

The programme, which is being conducted by CIL’s human resources and welfare department in collaboration with Prajapita Brahmakumari Ishwariya Vidyalaya, Central Board of Workers Education and Kala Niketan, will help the coal workers fight the urge to gamble and control drug addiction and alcoholism amomg them.

“The programme, which was introduced last year, has been intensified after an incident in Lodna where some company workers died due to alcoholism,” said Ratan Mohan Prasad, BCCL’s general manager, welfare.

He added that during the programme, the message of leading a disciplined life is passed on using spiritual teachings, musical programmes and street corner plays.

Prasad said the programme would be carried out in each of the 13 areas of the coal company, including East Jharia (February), Block 2 (March), Bastacola (April), Sijua (May), CV Area (June), Barora (July), Kustore (August), Govindpur (September), Lodna (October), Western Jharia (November) and Putki Balihari (December) on the 11th of every month.

“We have already successfully organised one such programme in the Kusunda area of the district,” he said.

Anu Didi, the coal capital centre in-charge of Prajapita Brahmakumari Ishwariya Vidyalaya, said that the institute’s main emphasis during the three- hour-long programme was to make workers realise the threats posed by tobacco, alcohol and drug addiction.