The newly expanded Cabinet, at its first meeting on Tuesday, is expected to discuss the recommendations of the sub-committee on mining.

The Rajasthan State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has asked the government to take a fresh look at the Mines Act, 1952 to contain the alarming spread of occupational diseases and effectively deal

The government has marked the report as ‘secret’

The Supreme Court has ordered the Centre to file copies of the Justice Shah Commission report on illegal iron ore mining in Odisha. The government had marked the report as ‘secret’ and decided not to put it in public domain until it was tabled in Parliament.

All mine owners not complying with the safety norms for their workers are likely to face ban of their activities.

JAIPUR: The United Nations (UN) Human Rights report - 2012 gives an account of the unhealthy and exploitative conditions of mine workers in the state. Published by the working group on Human Rights in India and the UN (WGHR) for India's review at UN suggests that minimal wages, poor working conditions and lack of training are rampant in the mining sector in the state.

In its study WGHR found that more than 95% of mining activities in the state fall in the domain of unorganized sector. Out of the total miners almost 37% are women and most of them are dalits or tribals. The most concerning revelation is about the health status of the mineworkers.

JAIPUR: It could be tough times for mine owners who have not received safety clearance from the state's Director General of Mines Safety (DGMS). A recent directive by the department has sought suitable measures for ensuring that all mines apply for the mandatory clearance soon.

Sudhanshu Pant, principal secretary, department of mines and petroleum, has written to the director of the mines and geology department urging him to initiate measures so that all operation mines gets the clearance from DGMS within a month.

JAIPUR: In an effort to curb unsafe mining, the state government has decided to conduct training in mines safety in the 19 silicosis-affected districts. The training to lease holders will be imparted by the department of mines and geology in collaboration with the director general of mines safety (DGMS).

The department of mines and petroleum has recently issued a notice to the director of mines and geology department asking it to prepare a schedule for such a training programme in co-ordination with the DGMS and to intimate the same to all mining lease holders in the state. The department's orders follow the intervention of the Mine Labour Protection Campaign (MLPC).

The draft mining Bill is spot on in proposing excise duty on ore as an instrument to keep tabs on mineral output
JAIDEEP MISHRA