Lok Sabha Question No. 1767 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-12-08
Subject: Incentive to Mine Owners
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Khagen Murmu

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 1767

ANSWERED ON 08.12.2021

## INCENTIVE TO MINE OWNERS

## 1767. SHRI KHAGEN MURMU:

Will the Minister of MINES be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government concurs with the view that local manufacturers must be incentivised  to  innovate  and  develop  low  cost  dust  suppressant  and  wet-drilling mechanisms  that  could  either  be  subsidised  or  provided  free  of  cost  to  the  mine owners;

(b) if so, the steps that are proposed to be taken by the Government keeping in view the fact that long before COVID--19 hit, countless workers engaged in mines in India were silently dying due to exposure to dust, utmost exploitation and apathy; and

(c) if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

(a) to (c) The safety, health and welfare of workers employed in mines is regulated by  the  Mines  Act,  1952  and  the  Rules/  Regulations  framed  thereunder  which  are administered by the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) under the Ministry of Labour & Employment. This Act and Rules & Regulations framed thereunder have provisions  to  prevent  occupational  diseases  in  mines  like  medical  examination before employment, periodical medical examination at an interval of 5 years, use of Personal Protective Equipment and Occupational Health Survey.

Under  the  said  Act,  Engineering  control  measures  on  prevention  and generation of air-borne dust at workplace are provided under Regulation 124 of the Metalliferous Mines Regulation, 1961. As per the said regulation, miners shall take such  steps  as  are  necessary  for  the  minimising  of  emissions  of  dust  and  for  the suppression  of  dust  which  enters  the  air  at  any  work  place  below  ground  or  on surface and for ensuring that the exposure of workers to respirable dust is limited to an extent that is reasonably practicable but in any case not exceeding the limits that are harmful to the health of persons. It also provides that dust shall be suppressed as close as possible to its source of formation to prevent its liberation/accumulation and a jet of water shall be used throughout the drilling or boring operation to prevent the atmosphere being charged with dust.

The State Governments grant mineral concessions under the provisions of the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR)  Act, 1957.  On successful completion of the auction process, the successful bidder is mandated to seek  statutory  clearances  viz.  environmental  before  signing  the  lease  deed  and taking up mining operation. Environment Clearance takes into account Land, Air & Water environment, vegetation, fauna, aesthetics, Socio-Economic aspects, building materials, energy conservation and Environment Management Plan.

As  per  Rule  35(2)  of  the  Mineral  Conservation  and  Development  Rules (MCDR),  2017,  every  holder  of  Mining  Lease  shall  monitor  his  mining  &  allied activities as per the template of Star rating and shall achieve at least three star rating as  part  of  Sustainable  mining.  The  Star  rating  template inter  alia also  captures ambient air quality  as per the standards laid down by MoEF&CC. Further, as per Rule 40 of MCDR, 2017, every holder of prospecting licence or a mining lease shall take all possible measure to keep air pollution due to fines, dust,  smoke  or  gaseous  emissions  during  prospecting,  mining,  beneficiation  or metallurgical operations and related activities within permissible limits. As per Rule 43 of MCDR, 2017, the standards and permissible limits of all pollutants, toxins and noise  shall  be  such  as  may  be  notified  by  the  concerned  authorities  under  the provisions of the relevant laws for the time being in force.

*****