Meeting with Union Labour Minister Santosh Gangwar
Appeal for not implementing Mines Act 1952 Rule 55 on mines smaller than 5 hectares
SAFETY RULES FOR MINES SMALLER THAN 5 HECTARES NOT PRACTICAL
Jaipur, 10 June: Rajsamand MP, Diya Kumari, met the Union Labour Minister, Shri Santosh Gangwar to elaborate on the problems of small mineral mines in the area. During the meeting, MP Diya Kumari said that the safety rules applicable to mines with more than 5 ha areas is the same those applicable to mines smaller than 5 ha. This rule is theoretically fine, but not practically feasible.
Furthermore, mines that have over 500 horsepower power connections as a formality require technical engineers and foremen. This increases the economic burden on the mine owner. At the same time, it is not possible to leave a 3-meter-step in a small mine, since the entire mineralized area with small mines is contiguous. Throughout the entire process, the concerned officer tends to dominate the mine owner over the issue.
MP Diya Kumari said comparing the companies like Vedanta, Hindustan Zinc and Cement Industries to small mine owner is not fair. Therefore, The Mines Act 1952 Rule 55 should not be applied to mineral mines smaller than 5 hectares.
The Union Minister, Santosh Gangwar assured the MP that he would positively look into the matter.
