Coal min raises ex-gratia for fatal mine accidents by 3 times

Coal minister Pralhad Joshi on Thursday announced three times hike in ex-gratia amount from Rs 5 lakhs to Rs 15 lakhs, for fatal coal mines accidents. He said this will cover over 3.5 lakh families of miners working under Coal India and its subsidiaries in eight states of the country.

“I announce enhancement in ex-gratia from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 15 lakh for the coal workers, both permanent as well as the contractors, in case of fatal mine accident,” Joshi said while addressing coal miners in Odisha.

He undertook an aerial survey and inspection of mining operations of Talcher Coalfields in Mahanadi Coalfields Limited in Odisha, which is the second biggest subsidiary of state-run company Coal India Limited (CIL), and contributes about 25% cent to the total coal production of CIL, an official statement said.

Joshi said that Mahanadi Coalfields would offer employment to over 4000 land oustees by the financial year 2024-25. He said the government of India is committed to uplift standard of living of common man and is steadily working towards creating more jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities for the youth.

He said Mahanadi Coalfields will invest more than Rs 9000 crore in years to come for creation of railway infrastructure enabling seamless transportation of coal from across MCL mines.

He said MCL will run Mobile Medical Units (MMUs) in the peripheral villages of its operational areas for brining free healthcare to the doorstep of the needy people.