Lok Sabha Question No. 146 (STARRED), answered on 2022-07-27
Subject: Welfare Projects for Miners
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Aparajita Sarangi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 146

ANSWERED ON 27.7.2022

## WELFARE PROJECTS FOR MINERS

*146. SHRIMATI APARAJITA SARANGI: Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state: (a) whether the Government has completed welfare projects initiated for the miners in Odisha and if so, the details thereof; (b) whether any steps for preservation of environment and mitigation of pollution generated from the mines have been taken for the welfare of localities and if so, the details thereof; (c) whether any health coverage is extended to the miners, especially for occupation-related ailments and if so, the details of the coverage thereof and the data regarding beneficiaries in Odisha; (d) whether any benefits are also offered to spouses and children of miners in case of an accident at the site and if so, the details thereof; and

- (e) whether any digital grievance redressal system has been introduced for miners in Odisha and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF MINES, COAL AND PARLIAMENTARY AFFAIRS (SHRI PRALHAD JOSHI)

(a) to (e): A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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## STATEMENT  REFERRED  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (e)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 146 FOR ANSWER ON 27.7.2022 ASKED BY SHRIMATI APARAJITA SARANGI REGARDING WELFARE PROJECTS FOR MINERS.

(a) & (b): The safety, health and welfare of workers employed in mines is regulated by the Mines Act, 1952 and the Rules/ Regulations framed thereunder. Mine Owners/Lessees are responsible for making necessary arrangements for the welfare, health and safety of the miners as per the provisions of the said Act and rules/regulations.

The  Metalliferous  Mines  Regulations  1961  and  the  Coal  Mines  Regulations  2017 framed  under  the  Mines  Act  have  provisions  for  the  protection  of  miners  from  dust, smoke  and  noxious  gases  while  working  within  the  mine  boundary.  As  per  the information  provided  by  Government  of  Odisha,  the  lessees  are  taking  appropriate steps for preservation of the environment and to mitigate pollution generated from the mines as per the stipulation of the EC, Consent to Operate and other such clearances.

For reducing the environmental impact associated with mining, Chapter V of the Mineral Conservation and Development Rules (MCDR) 2017, prescribes rules for sustainable mining;  removal  and  utilisation  of  topsoil;  storage  of  overburden,  waste  rock  etc.; precaution against ground vibrations; control of surface subsidence; precaution against air pollution; discharge of toxic liquid; precaution against noise; and restoration of flora etc. The lessees are responsible to implement the above provisions.

Environment  preservation,  pollution  control  as  well  as  health  care  are  amongst  High Priority Areas in Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) under which projects are implemented using District Mineral Foundation funds. Till May 2022, a total of 611 projects have been undertaken for  environment preservation & pollution control and  1107  projects  have  been  undertaken  in  healthcare  sector  in  Odisha.  Details  are given below:-

| Areas                        |   Number of Projects |   Amount Allocated (In Cr.) |   Amount Spent (In Cr.) |
|------------------------------|----------------------|-----------------------------|-------------------------|
| Environment Preservation and |                  611 |                      268.11 |                   82.38 |
| Health Care                  |                 1107 |                     1781.2  |                 1255.52 |

(c):  Following  provisions  exist  in  the  Mines  Act,  Rules  and  Regulations  made thereunder on occupational health and diseases in mines:

1.  As per Rule 45A of the Mines Rules 1955, for every person who receives injury in the course of his duty, the management shall make arrangements for rendering him  the  first  aid  and  also  immediate  attention  of  a  medical  practitioner,  if required.
2. If  any  person  who  is  found  medically  unfit  in  a  safety  and  occupational  health survey undertaken as per provisions of sub section 2 of section 9A of the Mines Act 1952, he shall be entitled to,
- i. undergo medical treatment at the cost of the owner, agent and manager with full wages during the period of such treatment
- ii. If  the  person  is  declared  to  be  unfit  to  discharge  his  duties,  he  shall  be provided  with  an  alternate  employment  in  the  mine  for  which  he  is medically fit
- iii. In case alternate employment is not available, he shall be given disability allowance or compensation.
3. As per provisions of the Section 25 of the Mines Act, if any person employed in the mines contracts any notified  disease, the  Owner, Agent or Manager of the Mine  shall  send  Notice  to  the  Directorate  General  of  Mines  Safety  (DGMS)  in appropriate form. However, no such case has been reported to the DGMS from the State of Odisha during the last three years.

(d): As per the provisions of the Employees' Compensation Act, 1923, the employers are  liable  to  pay  compensation  if  personal  injury  is  caused  to  an  employee  by accident arising in course of employment.

As  per  Section  4  of  the  Employees'  Compensation  Act,  1923,  where  death results from the injury, the amount of compensation shall be an amount equal to fifty per cent. of the monthly wages of the deceased employee multiplied by the relevant factor  specified  in  the  schedule  of  the  Act;  or  an  amount  of  one  lakh  and  twenty thousand rupees, whichever is more;

(e):  Centralised Public Grievance Redressal and Management System (CPGRAMS) is a digital grievance address system of  DGMS. In the State of Odisha, during the year 2021, seven grievances were received and all of them were redressed. During 2022, two grievances were received which have been redressed.

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