New Delhi, May 4th, 2012

Mr. P.C. Sharma, Member, National Human Rights Commission after conclusion of review meetings on silicosis today said that States do not appear to be serious on tackling the silicosis, an incurable lung disease caused due to inhaling silica in dust. The issue remains a neglected area as they have failed to conduct survey of various kinds of industries generating silica and submit answers to 10 point questionnaire to the Commission to assess the work done by them on silicosis whereas the fact is that no State can claim that there is no mining or an industry which does not generate silica.

Addressing the fourth regional review meeting of the States on silicosis, Mr. Sharma said that all the regional meetings on silicosis have been disappointing as the States have failed to give any proper action plan and showed total apathy to the issue of silicosis.

Barring Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Pudducherry to some extent there is nothing concrete done by most of the authorities in Centre and States for the unorganized sector labourers who are prone to catch silicosis while working in silica dust generating mines, stone crushing units, quarries, construction sites, glass cutting factories etc.

Member Sharma said that the NHRC's approach to silicosis is rights based which includes right to health and right to life and it is the responsibility of the States to ensure these rights to the people.

He said that Centre should organize a national conference of Chief Ministers and concerned Ministers of all States and UTs to address the issues relating to silicosis as there is a need to make a collective effort to ensure preventive measures, diagnostic facilities, compensation and rehabilitation of the victims of silicosis and their families.

Mr. Sharma said that despite the Factories Act, Labour Act and Minimum Wages Act, the poor section of labourers, constituting a majority of workers in unorganized sector in the country, remained neglected. There is no regulatory mechanism to inspect the issues relating to their health, wages, relief and rehabilitation in case of becoming a victim of occupational hazards.

Member Sharma took serious view of the absence of the representatives from Goa and Himachal Pradesh at the concluding review meeting for which other States invited included Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab and Maharashtra.

He also said that the States should have been represented by the Secretaries of the concerned departments in the meetings on silicosis if they were really serious on the issue.

Mr. Sharma said that despite so much thrust being given to the 'Aam Adami' in all Government programmes, the same does not reflect in addressing the issue of silicosis which is a serious threat to the health of common man.

Mr. Anup Chandra Pandey, Joint Secretary, Union Ministry of Labour and Employment assured on behalf of his Ministry that further consultations can be held with the NHRC to ensure as to what best possible could be done for handling issues concerning silicosis within the available provisions of laws and to explore the other possibilities.

The representatives of Directorate General Factory Advice Services and Labour Institutes (DGFASLI), Directorate General of Mines Safety (DGMS) and Employees' State Insurance Corporation (ESIC), NGOs along with the NHRC officers Dr. Rajiv Sharma, Secretary General, Mr. J.S. Kochher, Joint Secretary (Trg.) Mr. C.K. Tyagi, Presenting Officer, Mrs. Mamta Singh, DIG, Dr. Savita Bhakhry, Deputy Secretary (Research) participated in the discussions.

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