(a) whether the Government have formulated any scheme to modernise mining activity to augment productivity and safety in the mining sector ;
(b) if so, the details thereof, and the steps taken by the Government in this regard; and
(c) the time by which the proposed scheme is likely to be implemented and the expenditure likely to be incurred thereon?
THE MINISTER OF STATE OF THE MINISTRY OF MINES (SHRI RAMESH BAIS)
(a) to (c ): The decision of modernization of mining activities is a commercial decision which is taken by individual mining companies. To ensure safety of mines, the Ministry of Labour administers the Mines Act, 1952. A separate Directorate in the name of Directorate General of Mines Safety has been set up under the Ministry of Labour. The Directorate ensures nationally acceptable and internationally comparable standards of occupational health, safety and welfare for employees in the Indian mines.