Prahlad Joshi declares 300% hike in Ex-Gratia for fatal mine accidents

Union Coal and Mines Minister Prahlad Joshi on Thursday announced a 300% hike in ex-gratia amount from Rs 5 lakhs to Rs 15 lakhs for fatal coal mines accidents. Addressing the coal miners at Mahanadi Coalfields Limited (MCL) in Odisha, Joshi said this welfare measure will cover over 3.5 lakh families of miners working under state-run Coal India and its subsidiaries in eight states of the country. He also undertook an aerial survey and inspection of mining operations of Talcher Coalfields at MCL, which is the second biggest subsidiary of Coal India Limited (CIL) which contributes about 25% to the total coal production of the company.

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Paying tributes to the coal miners who laid down their lives in mine accidents, Joshi said, “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 a fatal mine accident.” He added that the government is committed to uplift the standard of living of common man and is steadily working towards creating more jobs and entrepreneurship opportunities for the youth.

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New jobs, rail lines and medical facilities

The Coal Minister also announced that the Mahanadi Coalfields would offer employment to over 4,000 land oustees by the financial year 2024-25. He pledged an investment of more than Rs 9,000 crore in the coming years for the building of rail infrastructure in the area enabling seamless transportation of coal from across MCL mines. Joshi further announced that 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. He sought the cooperation of all the stakeholders on increasing coal production for India.

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School for local children

Prahlad Joshi, who was on his maiden visit to MCL for reviewing mining operations of the company, also laid the foundation stone of MCL DAV School, Lingaraj Area, which will be built at an estimated cost of Rs 45 crore. Beginning with the initial student intake of 1,300, it is proposed to be extended up to 3,000. The CMD of Coal India AK Jha and CMD of MCL BN Shukla were also present on the occasion along with other dignitaries.

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