By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Despite the guidelines related to the safety and security of miners stipulated in the Meghalaya Mines and Minerals Policy, 2012, no scrutiny is being undertaken by the concerned authorities to ensure the safety and welfare of the miners.
Considering that there are frequent deaths and injuries to the mine workers including the recent case of deaths of five miners in Jaintia Hills, there is a ‘grey area’ in the mining policy as nothing specifically is mentioned about the compensation to be paid to the mine workers in case of accidents.
Five coal mine labourers were crushed to death on the late night of January 4 by a coal-laden trolley which was being ferried up a coal mine shaft in the coal belt of Jaintia Hills of Meghalaya. Those who died have been identified as P Taru (50), Shankar Keoq (20), Sanjoy Sahu (36), Robrap Keoq (38) and Ronu Teshu (36). All were residents of Nayadanga village in Karbi Anglong district of Assam.
As per the mining policy, an applicant who wishes to get mineral concession must enclose a labour plan duly approved by the Labour department which should inter-alia, include the number of labourers likely to be employed, sourcing of such labour, an undertaking that no child labour shall be engaged, maintenance of health facilities and safety standards.
However, the frequent deaths of the miners have exposed that the policy is not followed in its true spirit by the applicants and there is hardly any enforcement of the rules on the ground level.
The policy stipulates that the mine owners would be required to provide health care, education, drinking water, safe and hygienic conditions of living and welfare facilities to the mine workers and their families, as envisaged under the relevant labour laws. A mine owner or an applicant will also be required to submit a Mining Plan duly approved by the Directorate of Mineral Resources with list of equipments proposed to be used, quantum to be mined, and safety standards to be maintained, arrangements for storage of mined minerals among others.
However, the mining policy is silent on the compensation related to deaths and injuries of miners and also the role of mine owners on whether they should pay compensation for the mishaps.