The perils of the system of rat-hole mining that thousands in Meghalaya routinely engage in were in stark focus over the past week. After a fruitless search that yielded no survivors or bodies in a flooded coal pit in the South Garo Hills, a rescue team of the National Disaster and Rescue Force has called off its operations. This means the 15 miners who were believed trapped underground are being given up as dead. It is the failure of the authorities to put in place a monitoring and regulatory mechanism that stands out in the wake of the accident. The miners, desperate to make a living, typically scramble into the shafts, crudely dug and so small that even kneeling is impossible inside. Lying horizontally, they hack away with pick-axes and their bare hands to extract the often sparse pickings. More shockingly, thousands of children, some under 10, toil alongside adults, their small bodies a perfect fit for the narrow seams. Many of the miners are migrants. Instances of death, from cave-ins and other accidents, are not always documented but are far from rare. Proximate facilities for medical care are nonexistent. In 2002, over 30 people died in a rat-hole pit in Meghalaya after it was flooded suddenly.
Meghalaya has no mining policy: minerals are extracted by individual operators at will. Miners use rudimentary gear, and among other risks face the black lung disease caused by the ingestion of coal dust. The mines operate in the manner of an unorganised cottage industry. Most land in Meghalaya is privately owned by tribal people, who as a matter of customary right exploit the coal present in their parcels. The villages located in the coal belt actually sit on a network of trenches dug beneath. It is not as if the practice, coyote hole mining as it was referred to in the Americas as it evolved from a 16th century Spanish system, is inherently unsound. Such inexpensive excavation was technologically simpler, and amenable to small-scale operation, compared to the large-scale industrial-corporate mining that emerged in the 19th century. Indeed, the low-tech approach was efficient in its own way, calling for excavations to follow the meanderings of ore seams. It may be neither possible nor advisable to move suddenly to end rat-hole mining in this region. Coal is Meghalaya’s biggest source of revenue. What is needed immediately is a scientifically sound regulatory mechanism to optimise yields and make the operation more efficient. Labour laws have to be enforced, worker safety and payment of fair wages ensured, and child labour of any kind has to be eliminated. The miners should be provided training and made aware of the risks, and put through safety drills.
Well the government should rather concentrate on empowering the labor laws as well. What is central government thinking? It again shows the negligence towards the north eastern state. It has turned a blind eye towards the protests from human right activists and environmentalists like Arwat Challam. Even though coal mining provides a huge revenue to the state, the priority should be given to the lives of the labor class. The 16th century old methodology followed by the mining owners itself shows that those people are bothered of money rather than safety of labor. Hence the state as well as central government should enforce strict laws towards the miners.
It is really sad to hear this news. I heard that some workers were saved
in the coal mines in china. That really explains the difference between
these neighbouring countries.and worse Even children are allowed to
enter those dangerous holes. There should be some serious steps taken
to save lives in future. Government should regulate the age old rules
and proper steps should be taken to impart knowledge and training.
Has the government done anything to hold accountable the outfits for
which these 15 miners were working? There isn't just one question this
incident raises. It cannot be accident that Meghalaya has no mining
policy. So to whose benefit has it been that this be so? Who would be
hurt most by regulated mining? And why are people so desperate for
livelihoods and incomes that they would take on such jobs? The govt is
responsible for more than unregulated mining. It is responsible for
reducing the people of a resource-rich state to suicidal strategies to
survive.
How can the miners be "given up as dead" until their bodies are found?
This is highly casual behavior!!!!!
Remember the effort put in Chile and China for taking out the miners?
How can we bear this? Sixteen people assumed to be dead! Attrocious!
it is always seen India that those people who work at the most dangerous places are less paid and are in perils. It is the need of the hour to make a healthy policy for mining workers in the country
Govt provide some compensation and after that nothing to be done. Govt should take the right steps to save the lives of poor families.
In a country where majority of people in metros and big cities sit in air conditioned rooms,restaurants,bars and vehicles just to get into finest of their moods but stiil never get out of their complaining mode,there are legions of workers too who risk their lives and work is such hazardous and absymal work conditions just to earn their livelihoods.How ironic! The government should take immediate actions to mitigate the risks involved in the above said mining method and mandate the availabiltiy of proximate medical and rescue teams .Money can not be the replacement for the human lives lost but still compenstation might help in consoling the affected poor families .
All these mishappennings and a failure so glorified is nothing but a mockery of special status. Why this division in state law and special Autonomous Administration when the tribes of the hills are in the common Article 5 of the Constitution? Govt must do everything to save the life of 15 miners because life of a person is above all the authorities and power structure!
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