Question : BAGDIGHI COLLIERY OF BCCL

(a) whether the Directorate General of Mines Security after inspecting the Bagdighi mine of Bharat Coking Coal Limited had pointed out the decrepitude of mine barriers and dangers emanating therefrom in September, 2000;

(b) if so, whether the BCCL management has taken any pre- emptive measures to forestall this danger;

(c) if so, the details thereof;

(d) if not, the reasons therefor;

(e) whether a notice was already served to close down the mine of Bagdighi colliery for safety reasons before the accident took place therein due to water inundation;

(f) if so, whether the CMD of the company and Directorate General, Mines-safety were fully aware of the notice served on the company;

(g) if so, whether any action has been taken after the accident against them;

(h) whether the Directorate General, Mines-safety also advised to stop mining of coal from the aforesaid mine; and

(i) if so, the manner in which the coal was being mined in the absence of proper safety arrangements?

THE MINISTER OF COAL (SHRI KARIYA MUNDA)

(a): DGMS officials after inspecting Bagdigi mine of BCCL on 25th September,2000 had pointed out under regulation 59(4) of Coal Mines Regulations , 1957 as follows in the spot inspection report :

‘There are some workings in the barrier of 8 and 7 seam between Bagdigi and Jayrampur, workings are doubtful. Agent, Bagdigi was advised to make fresh plan in consultation with Agent, Jayrampur and submit a fresh plan to this Directorate showing the above mentioned workings’.

Regulation 59(4) primarily deals with ”type of plans regarding mine boundary”. However, regulation 127 of the Coal Mines Regulations,1957 deals with danger from underground inundation and no observation about danger from inundation between Joyrampur and Bagdigi colliery was made in the above inspection note.

(b): As per the above inspection note , no danger was pointed out. Only advice to prepare fresh plan showing mine boundary was given.

(c) to (d): The mine management started the survey work of the 7 seam, but the exercise could not be completed fully before the accident.

(e): No notice was served to close down Bagdigi colliery. However, improvement notice under Section 22A(1) of the Mines Act, 1952 was issued. vide which blasting permission was withdrawn by DGMS on 10.11.2000 which was restored on 10.01.2001.

(f) : Directorate General of Mines Safety and nominated Director of BCCL were fully aware of the above improvement notice.

(g): Does not arise in view of reply given to part(e) above.

(h) & (i): DGMS did not stop mining operation of coal at Bagdigi colliery before the accident.