Death in breath: Silicosis stifles miners in Rajasthan

On an average, one mine worker dies of silicosis every five days in Rajasthan. Data provided by the state mines department revealed that more than 2052 cases of silicosis were recorded in the state in the last three years. Of that 236 have succumbed to the lung disease and the remaining 1816 are undergoing treatment at various government hospitals.

Jodhpur, with its more than 10,000 sandstone mines situated close to each other, is the worst-affected district in the state.

The simultaneous operations in these mines turn the air toxic even as the labourers, in some cases, continue to work without masks. The threat gets even bigger when the labourers have to undertake drilling of dry sandstones.

Incidentally, of the 236 labourers that died of silicoisis in Rajasthan, 89 hailed from Jodhpur and 73 from Karauli.

However, despite the staggering number of silicosis deaths, thousands are still forced to work in the pitiable condition every day, with the governments doing little or nothing to ensure their safety.

Rana Sengupta, managing trustee of Mine Labour Protection Campaign, said the state human rights commission, in view of rising threat, has issued an order for wet drilling with face covered but around 90 percent mines do not comply with it. “Mine labourers are not conscious about their health and the mining industry does not hold itself accountable for the state-of-affairs here. Add to that, the government, too, has no preventive plan in place,” he added.

Although the mines department claimed that they have distributed over two lakh dust masks worth ₹50 lakhs among the miners, most of them are seen toiling barefaced.

The state government awards a compensation of ₹3 lakh to the family in case a labourer dies due to silicosis and or a financial aid of ₹1 lakh to a patient suffering from the disease.

In the last three years, the state has spent ₹16.89 crores as compensation but no significant measures were taken up to secure the process.

Assistant mining engineer of Jodhpur, Ranjeet Singh Chauhan, said the public notices were served to all mine holders asking them to ensure wet drilling with dust mask on.

“We will take stern action against a mine owner found violating the order,” he said.

The findings of study, undertaken by Budget Analysis Rajasthan Centre, reveals that the working condition of mine workers in Rajasthan is worst in the whole country.

According to the report — A study on the Status of Mining and Mine workers in Rajasthan — a large number of mines do not provide basic safety equipment.

“The non-implementation of labour laws and other regulations in the mining sector has made the life of the mine workers miserable. On top of that the apathy of the government towards the situation gives the industry a chance to walk away from any responsibility,” the report said.

OF THE 236 LABOURERS WHO DIED OF SILICOSIS IN LAST 3 YEARS, 89 ARE FROM JODHPUR