JAIPUR: The labour department has directed Rajasthan Pneumoconiosis Medical Board to immediately issue individual medical certificates, under the provision of the Rajasthan Workmen Compensation Rules, 1965, certifying that 72 mine workers in Karauli district are suffering from silicosis.
The National Institute of Miners Health had earlier diagnosed these mine workers suffering from silicosis, an incurable occupational disease. The Mine Labour Protection Campaign Trust (MLPC) had raised the demand for compensation similar to that given to 21 widows of silicosis victims from Jodhpur, who were paid Rs 3 lakh each.
The certificates issued by the board will make the victims eligible for compensation under the Employees Compensation Act, 1923.
In a further development, the department of mines and geology has been asked to provide the list of mine lease holders to the director general of mines and safety, ministry of labour and to the regional labour commissioner, government of Rajasthan, so that cases can be filed against mine owners to pay compensation to the silicosis victims.
“This is the first time that the state government has taken a positive step to root out the problem, rather than a band-aid approach of paying compensation from the chief minister’s relief fund, as was done earlier in the case of the 21 widows of silicosis victims from Jodhpur,’ said
Courtesy: Times of India
Recent Comments