**Executive Summary**
This document reports on the 125th Foundation Day celebration of the Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), held in Dhanbad, Jharkhand. The event, graced by the Minister of State for Labour & Employment, highlighted DGMS's commitment to mine worker safety and the importance of uniform safety standards, labour code implementation, and technology use. The celebration took place on January 7, 2026, emphasizing the Ministry's dedication to worker safety and environmental sustainability.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **DGMS Anniversary:**
* DGMS celebrated its 125th Foundation Day, marking over a century of service to mine worker safety, health, and welfare.
* The event acknowledged the efforts and sacrifices of DGMS officials and mine workers.
* **Ministerial Statements:**
* Minister of State for Labour & Employment emphasized the importance of uniform safety standards across the mining sector.
* Workers' safety is the Ministry's top priority, aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of “First Safety."
* Stressed need for Central-State coordination and DGMS regional office engagement.
* **Labour Reforms:**
* Highlighted the relevance of the four Labour Codes, replacing 29 laws, for ensuring social security, including for contractual workers.
* DGMS urged to promote awareness of the Labour Codes and leverage modern technologies for enhanced mine safety.
* **Event Activities:**
* The Minister released the new DGMS Logo, DGMS Theme Song, and a digital Coffee Table Book.
* A short film on DGMS's history and advancements was screened.
* Dignitaries undertook a plantation drive, reaffirming DGMS’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
* Rescue Team Members were felicitated for their exemplary contribution in safeguarding miners' lives during emergencies.
**Impact Analysis**
**Mine Workers**
* **Impact:** Reassurance of continued focus on safety, health, and welfare; potential benefits from improved safety standards and social security provisions under the new Labour Codes.
* **Action Required:** Be aware of changes and improvements in safety standards.
**DGMS Officials and Staff**
* **Impact:** Increased emphasis on their role in ensuring mine safety, promoting labor codes, and adopting modern technologies.
* **Action Required:** Promote awareness of new Labour Codes, strengthen efforts to enforce safety norms, engage with Central and State efforts to ensure compliance with norms.
**Mining Industry Stakeholders**
* **Impact:** Adherence to uniform safety standards and potential changes in labor regulations due to the new Labour Codes.
* **Action Required:** Implement safety standards across operations, understand and comply with the new Labour Codes.
**Ministry of Labour & Employment**
* **Impact:** Further promotion of worker safety, labor reforms, and sustainable mining practices.
* **Action Required:** Continue support to DGMS for enforcing safety norms and promote adoption of best safety practices in the industry.
Key Entities Referenced
Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS): A regulatory body under the Ministry of Labour & Employment responsible for mines safety in India.
Ministry of Labour & Employment: The Indian government ministry responsible for labor welfare and employment, including mine safety through DGMS.
Labour Codes: A set of four consolidated codes that replaced 29 labour laws in India, intended to ensure social security and promote a Viksit Bharat.
Dhanbad, Jharkhand: Location of the DGMS headquarters and where the 125th Foundation Day was celebrated.
Ministry of Labour & Employment
DGMS Marks 125 Years of Commitment to Mines
Safety and Workers’ Welfare
Uniform Safety Standards Essential Across Mining Sector:
MoS Labour & Employment, Shobha Karandlaje
Implementation of Labour Codes and Use of Technology to
Strengthen Mine Safety: Smt. Karandlaje
प्रव तथ: 07 JAN 2026 2:08PM by PIB Delhi
The Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS), under the Ministry of Labour & Employment,
Government of India, celebrated its 125th Foundation Day today at its Headquarters in Dhanbad,
Jharkhand, marking more than a century of dedicated service towards ensuring safety, health and welfare
of mine workers across the country.The event was graced by the Minister of State for Labour &
Employment, Sushri Shobha Karandlaje, as the Chief Guest. Director General, DGMS, Shri Ujjwal Tah,
Joint Secretary, Ministry of Labour & Employment, Smt. Deepika Kachhal, along with other senior
officers of DGMS, officers from the Ministry, representatives of the mining industry and stakeholders
from across the sector were also present at the event.Addressing the gathering, Minister of State for Labour & Employment, Sushri Shobha Karandlaje noted
that the 125-year journey of DGMS reflects the dedicated efforts and sacrifices of generations of officials
and mine workers. Acknowledging the contribution of those who have worked under challenging
conditions in the past, the Minister emphasised that mining activities today are directly linked to India’s
growth story. The Minister paid tribute to mine workers whose courage and dedication, often involving
grave risks to life, make mining possible and support nation-building.
The Minister reiterated that workers’ safety is the Ministry’s foremost priority, in line with Prime Minister
Narendra Modi’s vision of “First Safety.” She highlighted the role of DGMS in ensuring uniform safety
standards across all mining operations and stressed the need for coordinated Central–State efforts and
stronger engagement of DGMS regional offices to effectively enforce safety norms.
Highlighting the relevance of labour reforms, Sushri Karandlaje noted that the four Labour Codes, which
consolidated and replaced 29 laws, are aimed at building a Viksit Bharat and ensuring social security,
including for contractual workers. She urged DGMS to promote awareness of the Codes and leveragemodern technologies to enhance mine safety, assuring full support from the Ministry to strengthen DGMS
for safer and more sustainable mining.
The Minister visited the Exhibition, Old Records Section and Models Gallery, showcasing the rich legacy
and evolution of mines safety practices in India. As part of the celebrations, dignitaries undertook a
plantation drive, reaffirming DGMS’s commitment to environmental sustainability.
A short film depicting the historical milestones of DGMS, its regulatory framework and technological
advancements in mines safety was screened during the programme. On the occasion, the Minister of State
for Labour & Employment released the new DGMS Logo which replaces the old one. She also released
the DGMS Theme Song, and a digital Coffee Table Book capturing the organisation’s journey and
contributions. A Souvenir/Digital Compendium of Best Practices in mines safety was also released.In a significant gesture recognising bravery and service, Rescue Team Members were felicitated for their
exemplary contribution in safeguarding miners’ lives during emergencies.
DGMS, established in 1902, continues to play a vital role in regulating mines safety and health standards
in India, contributing significantly to the well-being of mine workers and the sustainable growth of the
mining industry.
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Rini Choudhury/Anjelina Alexander
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2212057) आगंतुक पटल : 4026
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