Parliament Question: Safety and Welfare of Mining Workers in Chhattisgarh

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 3891 TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026 SAFETY AND WELFARE OF MINING WORKERS IN CHHATTISGARH †3891. SMT. JYOTSNA CHARANDAS MAHANT: Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state: (a) whether security rules has been placed for the women labourers working in the underground mines of Chhattisgarh and whether any provision of regular reviews of their effective implementation exist and if so, the details thereof; (b) the details of the funds allocated and actually utilized from 'The Non-Coal Mines Labour Welfare Funds' by the Government in Chhattisgarh during the last three years and the current years, year-wise; (c) whether any mandatory health survey has been conducted by the Government for laboures working in mines areas and the number of silicosis patients identified in Chhattisgarh during the last two years; (d) the details of the 'Kaam Roko Orders' issued due to fatal accidents and safety violation in mines of Chhattisgarh during the last three years; and (e) whether the payment of compensation to accident affected families has been made on time by the Government and the number of cases of compassionate ground appointment of mines accidents are pending at present in Chhattisgarh and if so, the details thereof? ANSWER MINISTER OF STATE FOR LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (SUSHRI SHOBHA KARANDLAJE) (a) to (e): The Central Government has enacted the Occupational Safety, Health and Working Conditions (OSH&WC) Code, 2020 to regulate occupational safety, health and working conditions of the persons employed in registered establishments including women labourers employed in underground mines. The Code which has come into force on 21.11.2025 provides for universal application of occupational safety, health and welfare facilities in all Contd..2/-:: 2 :: establishments having 10 or more workers and for establishments with one employee in hazardous or life-threatening occupations, free annual health check-up for employees including women, formalization through appointment letters, regulation of working hours, women allowed to work in all sector in all types of works including night shifts (with consent and safety measures). Under the OSH&WC Code, 2020, standard provisions have been specified to ensure uniform health and safety measures for mine workers including women along with criteria for medical examination and detection of occupational diseases. No cases of silicosis have been reported by the mine management to Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) in Chhattisgarh during the last two years. Welfare measures for workers engaged in the Non-Coal Mines sector, specifically in Iron, Manganese and Chrome Ore Mines, and Limestone and Dolomite Mines, are provided under the Labour Welfare Scheme (LWS), administered by the Directorate General of Labour Welfare (DGLW). Under the scheme, welfare benefits such as healthcare services and educational scholarships for the wards of workers are provided to eligible Non-Coal Mine workers and their families. The year-wise details of benefits provided under health and education in Chhattisgarh during the last three years and the current year are as follows: Year Health Care – Education (Scholarship) – No. No. of beneficiaries (Non of beneficiaries / Expenditure Coal) / Expenditure (₹) * (₹) (Non Coal) 2022- 26373 Beneficiaries/ 6 Beneficiaries/ 23 Rs 4,19,602/- Rs 64,000/- 2023- 26522 Beneficiaries/ 30 Beneficiaries/ 24 Rs 7,30,254/- Rs 2,76,500/- 2024- 19703 Beneficiaries/ 164 Beneficiaries/ 25 Rs 2,81,413/- Rs 15,26,500/- 2025- 12649 Beneficiaries/ 257 Beneficiaries/ 26 Rs 4,40,346/- Rs 23,32,000/- (till date) Contd..3/-:: 3 :: * Total expenditure incurred on purchase of medicine under health scheme for beneficiaries including non-coal beneficiaries. In case of violations of safety norms in mines, improvement notices or/and prohibitory orders are issued by the Directorate General of Mines Safety as per provisions of the OSH&WC Code, 2020. Year-wise number of prohibitory orders issued by DGMS in Chhattisgarh is as below: Year No. of Prohibitory Order 2023 2 2024 8 2025 6 The Employees' Compensation Act, 1923 provides for payment of compensation to employees and their dependents in case of injury and accident arising out of and in the course of employment and resulting in disablement or death. The Act is implemented by the State / UTs. The Employees' Compensation Act, 1923 has now been subsumed in Code on Social Security, 2020 which has come into force on 21.11.2025. *****