Lok Sabha Question No. 6188 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2018-04-04
Subject: Welfare Facilities to Coal Mine Workers
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: PARAYAMPARANBIL KUTTAPPAN BIJU

## 6188.   DR. P.K. BIJU:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) the welfare facilities provided to coal mine workers and their family members by    the Government;
- (b) whether  it  is  mandatory  for  the  coal  mine  workers  to  undergo  medical  check-up annually;
- (c) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (d) the special health facilities available for the coal mine workers?

## A N S W E R MINISTER OF RAILWAYS AND COAL (SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL)

(a): As informed by Coal India Limited, the focus of welfare activities of Coal India Limited (CIL) is  welfare  of  its  employees  and  their  families.  The  subsidiaries  are  paying  great  attention  to  the welfare of their workers. Every effort is being made to improve the living conditions of coal miners. In  order  to  create a sense of  belonging  and involvement in  work, top  priority is given by  the management in  the following  areas:

## HOUSING  FACILITIES

To provide shelter  is  the   main  thrust  area  of   the   organization. CIL  has achieved the   goal  of 'Shelter  for  All' for  workers  with  landmark  of  100%  housing  satisfaction  for  fulfilling   the basic  needs  of  the  workers.

## WATER SUPPLY

One  of the    major  welfare  activities  of the  company  is to  provide  clean drinking  water  to  the employees  and  their  families. In  this  direction  many  water  supply  schemes  have  been  taken up.  Supply    of    Water    through  natural    resource    like    river,  tank    etc  are      supplemented      by underground  mine  water  after  proper  treatment.

## EDUCATION  FACILITIES

The  primary  responsibility  of  providing  educational  facilities  lies  with  the  State  Government. However, the subsidiary companies of CIL have been providing financial assistance and infrastructure facilities  to  certain  schools  like  DAV,  Kendriya  Vidyalaya,  Delhi  Public  School  etc  and  other educational institutions run by the State Government to provide quality education to the employees' children.  In  addition,  financial  assistance  and  infrastructure  facilities  are  also  provided  to  certain privately  managed  schools  and  other  educational  institutions  by  the  subsidiary  coal  companies functioning in and around coalfield areas.

CIL is also providing various types of scholarship, cash award and financial assistance to the children of employees.

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 6188 TO BE ANSWERED ON 04.04.2018

## Welfare facilities to coal mine workers

## MEDICAL FACILITIES

CIL  and  its  subsidiaries  are  extending  medical  facilities  to the  employees  and  their  families through various medical establishments  from the  dispensary level to the central and apex hospitals in different parts of the  coalfields. Special emphasis is also given on occupational health, HIV /AIDS awareness  programme.

## STATUTORY   WELFARE   FACILITIES

In  accordance    with    the    provision  of    the    Mines  Act,  1952  and    rules  &  regulations    framed thereunder, subsidiaries  of  CIL are  maintaining  various  statutory welfare facilities for  the coal mines such as canteen, rest shelters and pit-head baths.

## NON-STATUTORY WELFARE MEASURE

In  order  to  supply  essential  commodities  and  consumer  goods  at  a  cheaper  rate  in  the  collieries, Central Co-operative and Primary Co-operative Stores are functioning in the coalfield areas of CIL. In addition, Co-operative Credit Societies are also functioning  in the  coal companies.

## BANKING  FACILITIES

The    Management    of    Coal  companies  are    providing    infrastructure    facilities  to    the    various nationalized  banks for  opening their  branches and extension   counters  in  the  coalfields for  the benefit of  coal  workers. Workers are  educated   to  draw their salaries  from the banks   and   they are also encouraged to   practice  thrift  for  the  benefit  of  their families.

## HOLIDAY HOMES

Coal India Ltd. has   maintained Holiday Homes in important spots across the country.

(b) & (c): No, Madam. It is not mandatory for the Coal Mine Workers to undergo Medical Checkup annually. Coal mine workers have to undergo medical checkup every 5 years as per the provisions of Mine's Rule, 1955.    Those who are more than 45 years old have to undergo medical checkup after every 3 years as per recommendation of 10 th Conference on Safety in Mines.

(d): Coal Mine workers engaged by CIL and their eligible dependent family members are getting all types of medical facilities free of cost through hospitals and dispensaries owned and maintained by CIL spread across all the coalfields areas. In case of super-speciality treatment and non-availability of treatment in company hospitals, coal mine workers and their   family members are referred to various government and private hospitals empanelled by CIL.

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