(a)whether changes in safety norms of Mines workers are being made to the existing standards to be at par with the global safety standards;
(b)if so, the details thereof;
(c)whether the Government is planning to adopt latest technology for electrical safety and provision of appropriate machinery for the workers; and
(d)if so, the total allocation of funds for these developments made by the Government?
MINISTER OF STATE (IC) FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(SHRI SANTOSH KUMAR GANGWAR)
(a) to (d): To make safety standards in mines at par with global safety standards, amendments in statutory provisions are made as and when it is required. The details of the safety devices to be mandatorily installed at the mines are stipulated under the Rules and Regulations made under the Mines Act, 1952. Coal Mines Regulations and Oil Mines Regulations have been amended in 2017 and are in vogue. Provisions regarding safety features in Heavy Earth Moving Machineries being used in opencast mines, Safety Management Plan, Slope stability, Coal Bed methane extraction and many others have been incorporated in Coal Mines Regulations, 2017.
Adequate provisions regarding electrical safety and appropriate machineries/appliances to be provided to workers in mines exist in Mining part of The Central Electricity Authority (Measures relating to Safety and electric supply) Regulation, 2010 under Electricity Act, 2003. Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) under Ministry of Labour & Employment has been issuing circulars from time to time regarding adoption of latest technology for electrical safety and provision of appropriate machinery.
No separate fund is allocated for technological development to DGMS. However, there is detailed budgetary outlay for DGMS for activities carried out by them.
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