Silicosis threat looms large in mining area: 10 deaths in 2015

Ten persons died from silicosis in 2015 while 119 others were identified to be suffering from the lung disease in Dabi mining area of the district, an NGO working for mining labour rights in Rajasthan has claimed.
Silicosis is an incurable lung disease caused by the inhalation of silica dust and is marked by inflammation and scarring in the lungs. Labourers working in mines are the worst affected by the disease.
While ten persons died, 119 others were diagnosed to be suffering from silicosis by December 31, 2015. One more person suffering from the disease died in January, said Ramesh Gujjar, Bundi district Coordinator of Jodhpur-based NGO Khan Majdur Sureksha Abhiyan.

The state government had sanctioned some compensation to the tune of Rs 60 lakh in September, 2015 but the district administration has not allotted the same to the patients and kin of the deceased so far, Gujjar claimed.
A memorandum regarding the same was was submitted to the district collector on Thursday following which he assured to distribute the compensation cheques on January 18, he said.
When asked about a rise in the number of those suffering from the disease, Gujjar said earlier the tests for silicosis were not conducted properly. It was only after the intervention of Human Right Commission in March, 2014 that accurate tests were conducted due to which there was a rise in the number of cases.

In 2014, two persons died of silicosis while 14 others were diagnosed with the disease.
He further claimed that no security and or safety measures were in place in the mines which led to the occurrence of the fatal disease in labourers.