Lok Sabha Question No. 3395 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-08-09
Subject: Development Work in Coal Sector
Ministry: COAL
Asked by: Sunil Kumar Mondal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF COAL

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3395 TO BE ANSWERED ON 09.08.2023

## Development Work in Coal Sector

3395. SHRI SUNIL KUMAR MONDAL:

Will the Minister of COAL be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the developmental works done in Coal sector in various States of India especially in Bardhaman district of West Bengal in respect of production of coal and staff and labour security during the last three years;
- (b) whether any new scheme is to be introduced in future in this regard and if so, the details thereof, State/UT-wise and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the details of the funds released and utilized for the development of Coal sector in West Bengal till now?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) :  Details  of  the  new  mines  opened/re-opening  of  seams  in  various  States  of  India, including in Bardhaman district of West Bengal, for production of coal, during the last three years, are as under:

| Sl. No.   | Year                |   No of mines Opening / re- opening of seams granted in all states |   No of mines opening of granted in the Bengal | Opening /re- seams/section state of West   |
|-----------|---------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------|--------------------------------------------|
| 1         | 2020-21             |                                                                 22 |                                              0 |                                            |
| 2         | 2021-22             |                                                                 24 |                                              3 |                                            |
| 3         | 2022-23             |                                                                 29 |                                              6 |                                            |
| 4         | 2023-24 as on July, |                                                                  9 |                                              2 |                                            |
|           |                     |                                                                 84 |                                             11 |                                            |

Out of above, one project i.e Nakrakonda Kumardihi B OC is in Bardhaman district of West Bengal, which was opened during 2022-23. Steps taken for staff and labour security, are as under:

- I. Social Security measures for Non-Executive employees -
1. An amount of ₹ 15 lakh is paid to the next of kin of an employee in case of fatal mine accident
2. An amount upto ₹ 1, 56,250/- is paid under the Life Cover Scheme
3. Additional ₹ 90,000 is paid in case of death or permanent total disablement
4. All employees are covered under the Coal Mines Provident Fund scheme with equal shares both by employees and the company.
5. Pension payable under Coal Mines Pension Scheme, 1998.
6. Medical facilities are extended to retired employees under the Contributory Post Retirement Medicare Scheme for Non-Executives (CPRMS-NE).
- II. Wages and Social Security measures for contractors' workers deployed by registered contractors-
1. Contractors' workers engaged by outsourced companies in Mining activities (as defined  under  section  2(h),  (j)  and  (k)  of  Mines  Act,  1952)  are  paid  wages  as  per recommendations of HPC / Joint Committee which is higher than the minimum wages of appropriate government.
2. Contractors' Workers engaged in other than mining activities are paid wages as per minimum wages prescribed by appropriate government from time to time.
3. An amount of ₹ 15 lakh is paid to the next of kin of an employee in case of fatal mine accident
4. All  the  statutory  payments  in  respect  of  contractors'  workers,  are  made  by  the contractor, as per the relevant Act/ Rules, as applicable. All payments made through bank transfer.
5. All contractors' workers are covered under EPF/CMPF.

(b) :  Coal companies are undertaking these developmental works from their own funds.

(c) : Under the Central sector  Scheme "Conservation, Safety and Infrastructural Development in Coal mines", from 2020-21 to till now, Rs. 4.45 Cr has been released for development of coal sector in West Bengal.

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