Punishment for breaking mining laws may be harsher

A bill seeking to enhance penalty against violation of mining laws and neglect of workers' safety was introduced in the Rajya Sabha today.

The Mines (Amendment) Bill 2011 proposes to amend the Mines Act, 1952 to enhance penalty to Rs 5 lakh besides imprisonment of up to five years for various offences including falsification of records and employment of persons below 18 years of age.

The proposed law would be applicable to the entire country including exclusive economic zones and maritime zones.

According to the Statement of Objects and Reasons, mining operations have become complex due technological advancements.

The new legislation would cater to the present and future requirements in the face of technological changes and to the foreign firms acquiring mining rights and operations in the country.

"This has created a new safety and health risk scenario at the work places in these sectors. In view of such developments the amendments have been proposed mainly to keep pace with the changes at work places...To effectively manage the safety and health risk to the work persons," it said.

Earlier the Act was amended in 1983 to check employment of persons below the age of 18 years, inspection of mines by workers representatives, introducing safety committees and to regulate the hazards with introduction of new machines.

The Bill also provides that the owner of the mines will appoint sufficient number of officials for effective supervision of all operations.