By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: In a major embarrassment for Rymbai legislator Nehlang Lyngdoh (Congress) the National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) have accused him of not adhering to safety norms at a coal mine owned by him located on the Ladrymbai-Rymbai road in Jaintia Hills.
The lack of safety measures in Lyngdoh’s coal mine came to light during a visit by the NCPCR team to the coal mine on Friday.
As per the letter written to the Deputy Commissioner of Jaintia Hills, the Deputy Labour Commissioner and Divisional Mining officer who accompanied the team, said, “It was noticed that there are no safety measures, labour welfare amenities etc., which may endanger the lives of labourers working in the said mine.”
Taking cognizance of the lack of safety measures, NCPCR member Yogesh Dube said said the mine owner has to address the safety and welfare issues of the workers.
The NCPCR also mentioned that the matter would be taken up with the Ministry of Labour.
“Mines here have completely flouted the norms and labour welfare issues,” Dube added.
The State Labour department, after finding the loopholes in different coal mines, issued show cause notices to mine owners.
During their visit, the NCPCR team also discussed various training and welfare programmes with the workers of the coal mines.
The NCPCR team also expressed its unhappiness with the State Mining and Geology department for failing to map the coal mining areas of the State, while adding that the Commission is taking serious note of this.
The NCPCR team also assured that they will ask the Central Pollution Control Board to conduct a survey on the pollution aspect in the State, besides adopting measures to ensure safeguard of the ecological balance in the State.
