This notification, S.O. 2927(E), issued by the Ministry of Labour and Employment on August 13, 2019, announces the Central Government's decision to appoint a formal Court of Inquiry regarding an accident that occurred on December 29, 2016, at the Rajmahal Opencast Mines of Ms. Eastern Coal Fields Limited in Godda District, Jharkhand, which resulted in loss of life. This decision follows an order from the Hon'ble High Court of Jharkhand at Ranchi in Writ Petition No. 66 of 2017, which suggested a wider examination of the accident's causes and circumstances to recommend further safety measures. Smt. Rashmi Verma, Former Secretary to the Government of India, is appointed to lead the inquiry and submit a report within three months. Shri Akhter Javed Usmanee, representative of Hind Mazdoor Sabha, and Shri Rabindra Sharma, Ex-Chief Inspector of Mines and DGMS, are appointed as assessors to the inquiry. The appointment is made under the powers conferred by subsection 1 of section 24 of the Mines Act, 1952 (35 of 1952). The file number for reference is F. No. N-110123/2016-ISH.II.
Key Entities Referenced
Rajmahal Opencast Mines: A mine owned by Ms. Eastern Coal Fields Limited where an accident occurred.
Eastern Coal Fields Limited: The company that owns the Rajmahal Opencast Mines.
Godda, Jharkhand: The district and state where the Rajmahal Opencast Mines are located.
High Court of Jharkhand at Ranchi: The court that addressed the case related to the accident.
Mines Act, 1952: The act of Indian Parliament under which a formal inquiry is being initiated
Rashmi Verma: Former Secretary to the Government of India, appointed to hold the inquiry.
Akhter Javed Usmanee: Representative of Hind Mazdoor Sabha, appointed as an assessor in the inquiry.
Rabindra Sharma: Ex-Chief Inspector of Mines and DGMS, appointed as an assessor in the inquiry.
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[फा. स.ं एन-11012/3/2016-आईएसएच.II]
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4178 GI/2019 (1)2 THE GAZETTE OF INDIA : EXTRAORDINARY [PART II—SEC. 3(ii)]
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
NOTIFICATION
New Delhi, the 13th August, 2019
S.O. 2927(E).—Whereas an accident has occurred in the Rajmahal Opencast Mines of M/s. Eastern
Coal Fields Limited, in District Godda of Jharkhand State on 29th December, 2016 causing loss of lives;
And whereas the Hon’ble High Court of Jharkhand at Ranchi in Writ Petition No. 66 of 2017
[Md. Sarfaraj Vs. State of Jharkhand and other], while disposing of the case vide its order dated 5th April,
2019 held that “However, scope for a Court of inquiry to examine the causes and circumstances attending the
accident is much wider and if any further safety steps or remedial measures are required to be taken, the Court
of inquiry can make the recommendation in that regard. In such circumstances, Central Government should
consider appointing a Court of inquiry for the purpose aforesaid as contemplated in section 24 of the Mines
Act, 1952”;
And whereas the Central Government is of the opinion that a formal inquiry into the causes and the
circumstances attending the accident and to make recommendations, if any, for further safety steps or
remedial measures required to be taken, ought to be held;
Now, therefore, in exercise of the powers conferred by sub-section (1) of section 24 of the Mines Act,
1952 (35 of 1952), the Central Government hereby appoints Smt. Rashmi Verma, Former Secretary to the
Government of India to hold such inquiry and present a report within a period of three months. The Central
Government also appoints the following persons as assessors in holding of the inquiry, namely: –
(i) Shri Akhter Javed Usmanee, representative of Hind Mazdoor Sabha;
(ii) Shri Rabindra Sharma, Ex-Chief Inspector of Mines and DGMS.
[F. No. N-11012/3/2016-ISH.II]
KALPANA RAJSINGHOT, Jt. Secy.
Uploaded by Dte. of Printing at Government of India Press, Ring Road, Mayapuri, New Delhi-110064
and Published by the Controller of Publications, Delhi-110054.