Jodhpur | May 20, 2016: While the state government has empowered more government officials for inspection of the sandstone mines for enforcement of wet drilling and use of protective measures, the Rajasthan State Human Rights Commission (SHRC) has argued that it may not improve compliance of mandatory provision since such functionaries do not have adequate expertise in the matter.

The state government has recently issued orders authorising the revenue officials up to patwari level, gram sevaks and medical officers posted at primary health centres for the purpose of inspection of wet drilling and use of masks in all such mines.

But the commission has stated that such inspections should be conducted by qualified officers of the Mining Department and Pollution Control Board in addition to the officials from Director General of Mine Safety (DGMS).

Adding to it, the commission has stated in its report submitted to the high court that only surprise inspections can reveal actual ground realities regarding dry drilling and other violations of rules.

"Both central and state governments should consider prohibiting manufacture, supply and use of any equipment used for drilling, cutting, grinding, etc without appropriate dust control equipment or provision for wet process to reduce dust generation at source. Tools and equipment are available with in-built water injection and dust collection systems to effectively control dust emission during work", the commission recommended.

The commission said that since mine owners are generally not doing wet drilling, the DGMS should increase prosecutions and the state government should cancel the licenses where no wet drilling is taking place and no record of employment of the workers is being maintained.

While the state government has taken pro-active measures for the enforcement of the Wet Drilling and use of Dust Mask with a view to ensure safety, security and health of the mine workers, it has also taken steps to give a statutory status to the cancellation and suspension of the mines being operated in violation of the rules.

In its report to the high court, the state government said that it has cancelled 148 mines and stated that suspension of the licenses is not yet provided for under the present rules.

Similarly, out of 577 mines inspected by the DGMS in the Ajmer region and 146 mines in Udaipur region between 2011 to 2015, 181 prosecutions have been launched, which, however, not yet acknowledged by the commission, who has sought a detailed report from the DGM.

(Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/)