New Delhi, March 1st, 2011

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, organized a national conference on Silicosis in New Delhi, today. Silicosis is a disease of lungs caused due to inhalation of dust containing free crystalline silica. However, due to lack of awareness even, among the doctors it is often confused with tuberculosis.
Mr. Justice K.G. Balakrishnan, Chairperson, NHRC inaugurating the conference said that it is a killing disease and the Commission is deeply concerned and takes a serious view of the callous approach of the government agencies for not focusing in this area. He said that it is the responsibility of the government departments and organizations to make all out efforts to check occurrence of Silicosis by adopting precautionary measures and timely diagnoses followed by appropriate medical care.
Mr. P.C. Sharma, Member, NHRC sharing Commission's concerns on Silicosis said that it has been persistently pursuing the matter with the pubic authorities. He said that what is worse is that the persons who get affected are labourers from unorganized sector belonging to poorest strata of the society.
In some states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat, it is reported that hundreds of persons suffered from this disease while working in mines, quarries, quartz cutting industries etc. Mr. Sharma on behalf of the Commission, sought cooperation of the civil society and the media to spread awareness on the issue and help the Commission by bringing to its knowledge the incidents of Silicosis in different parts of the country.
The conference took a serious view of the fact that most of the States have failed to carryout the survey as recommended by NHRC and report the same through a questionnaire circulated in the year 2008 to it to ascertain the number of Silicosis patients in their areas; preventive measures taken by them to control its occurrence; provisions of medical care and monetary relief to the affected people. The representatives of states and the union territories sought further time from the Commission to give an updated information on the status of implementation of its recommendations after carrying out the survey.
NHRC Members, Mr. Justice G.P. Mathur, Mr. Justice B.C. Patel, Mr. Satyabrata Pal, senior officers, representatives of the respective State Governments and Union Territories, Union Ministry of Labour and Employment, Union Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and other stakeholders including NGOs participated in the day long discussions which were spread in four sessions.
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