Lok Sabha Question No. 138 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-02-02
Subject: Welfare Projects for Miners
Ministry: MINES
Asked by: Aparajita Sarangi

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINES

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 138 ANSWERED ON 02.02.2022

## WELFARE PROJECTS FOR MINERS

138. 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  environmental  preservation  and  to  mitigate  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 occupationrelated ailments and if so, the details of the coverage thereof and the data regarding beneficiaries in Odisha;
- (d) whether any benefits are 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 (c): The safety, health and welfare of workers employed in mines is regulated by the Mines Act, 1952 and the Rules/ Regulations framed thereunder and the Mine Owners/Lessees are as such making necessary arrangements for the welfare, health and safety of the miners as per the provisions of the Mines Act, 1952.

Further, necessary provisions have been made in the Metalliferous Mines Regulations 1961 and the Coal Mines Regulations 2017 for the protection of miners from dust, smoke and noxious gases while working within the mine boundary. As per the information provided by the State 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.

Also, Environment preservation, Pollution control as well as Health Care are one of the High Priority Areas of Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) under which projects are carried out using District Mineral Foundations funds. A total of 590 projects have been undertaken under Environment Preservation & Pollution Control and 986 projects have been undertaken under Health Care sector in Odisha till December 2021, as per details given below:-

| Activities                                     |   Number of Projects |   Amount Allocated (In Cr.) |   Amount Spent (In Cr.) |
|------------------------------------------------|----------------------|-----------------------------|-------------------------|
| Environment Preservation and Pollution Control |                  590 |                      213.68 |                   67.18 |
| Health Care                                    |                  986 |                     1561.13 |                 1096.8  |

(d)  &  (e):  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.

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