Lok Sabha Question No. 2264 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-08
Subject: Working Condition of Miners
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Santokh Singh Chaudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT

## LOK SABHA

UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2264

TO BE ANSWERED ON 08.07.2019

WORKING CONDITION OF MINERS

2264. SHRI SANTOKH SINGH CHAUDHARY:

Will  the  Minister  of  LABOUR  AND  EMPLOYMENT  be  pleased  to state:

- regarding
- (a)whether the Government has received complaints inhumane conditions of miners in various parts of the country;
- (b)if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  response  of  the  Government  in  this regard;
- (c)whether children are also employed in the mining sector and if so, the details thereof and action taken in this regard; and
- the  Government  to  improve  the  working

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)

(a) to (b): Government of India  has  a  comprehensive  legislation  viz., The Mines Act, 1952 and the Rules and Regulations made there under wherein the matters relating to safety, health and welfare of persons employed in the mines are dealt with and the same is administered by Directorate  General  of  Mines  Safety  (DGMS)  under  the  Ministry  of Labour  and  Employment.  As  per  reports  submitted  by  the  mine management  to  DGMS,  no  complaints  have  been  received  regarding inhumane conditions of miners in various parts of the country;

- (c): As  per  the  information  submitted  by  mine  management  to DGMS, no child labour is employed in mining sector.
- (d)the steps taken by conditions of the miners?

(d): To  improve  the  working  conditions  of  the  miners  and  for ensuring safety in the mines in the country under the Mines Act, 1952. The owner, agent, manager and other statutory persons appointed at the mines are required to comply with the provisions of the statute. To ensure  that  the  mine  workers  are  provided  with  adequate  safety measures  while  working  in  the  mines,  officers  of  DGMS  undertake inspections of mines  and  take  measures  vis  a  vis  Pointing  out contraventions, Withdrawal of permission, Issue of improvement notices, Informal stoppages and Prosecution in the court of law.

To maintain the safety of labourers working under great risk conditions in mines, the following steps are also taken by DGMS:

- (i) To promote and propagate safety awareness in mines, National Safety  Awards (Mines), National Conference on Safety in Mines are  organized by DGMS. Workers participation and sensitization in matters of safety are ensured through training in safety and by initiatives like observance of safety week and safety campaigns, etc.
- (ii) Safety training programmes are organized among Managers and Supervisors for improving safety standards in mines.
- (iii) Introduction of Risk Assessment Techniques and preparation of safety  management  plan  aimed  at  elimination  of  risks  and  to ensure safety of workmen.
- (iv) Introduction  of  standard  operating  procedures  to  avoid  unsafe practices in mines.
- (v) Time to time, DGMS Circulars are issued as guidelines for safe operations in identified thrust areas.

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