Jharia Action Plan: A Win-win Situation For All Stakeholders?

Jharia Action Plan: a win-win situation for all stakeholders?

It assumes importance in the context of huge steel capacity expansion The Plan involves shifting and rehabilitation of three lakh people from areas where mine fires have been raging for years.

Mine safety measures under scanner

by Statesman News Service / ANGUL

28th February 2006

The workers engaged in Lingaraj mine are in the grip of fear as the safety measures there are nominal.

What is more galling is the lapse on the part of officers in the mines safety department who are responsible for enforcing measure needed to ensure the safety of workers. Their perfunctory visit to the mines has proved futile as the management is not bothered to respond to them, workers alleged.

There have been a spate of injuries sustained by the workers while on duty.

A casual worker, who was employed as an operator in a surface miner owned by Alok Coal Company, was killed on Monday night after being run over by a dumper.

The dumper is owned by a private transport company called Pioneer. The deceased was Bhimsen Nayak (30) of Bantala area.

The general secretary of BMS 's Talcher Coalfields wing, Mr Badal Maharana, said that the accident had occurred due to the poor visibility in the mine caused by heavy dust.

Moreover, it is alleged at least 50 vehicles are operating in the mine, instead of five stipulated under the safety rules.

Mr Maharana alleged that Pioneer and Alok Coal Agency, in connivance with the the management of Lingaraj mines, were exploiting workers. Mr Maharana revealed that he had filed a complaint with Talcher police against general manager of Lingaraj Area. The officials of Lingaraj Area, however, declined to comment on the matter.