New Delhi, April 6th, 2011

The National Human Rights Commission, NHRC, has taken suo motu cognizance of a media report alleging that a large number of children below 14 years of age are working in illegal coal mines, built unscientifically in Hazaribagh district, Jharkhand. These mines are manned mostly by children.

The report carried on the 5th April, 2011 alleges that the workers working in these mines come from Orissa, West Bengal, Bihar, Chhattisgarh and Assam. The kins of those, who die in accidents in these mines never get any compensation, as deaths are never recorded. There are no facilities for drinking water and health in the area and the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme has also not been extended in Hazaribagh district.

Considering the matter today on the 6th April, 2011, the Commission observed that the contents of the media report, if true, raise serious issues of violation of human right of the workers working in the coal mines including children employed therein.

The Commission has directed the Chief Secretary, Government of Jharkhand to submit a report within four weeks, including the following issues:

a) How many coal mines - legal or illegal are functional in Hazaribagh district and its adjoining areas?
b) What steps have been taken by the State Government for stopping illegal coal mines?
c) What safeguards have been provided to the workers working in legal/ and or illegal coal mines?
d) Whether there is any scheme of the State Government, which ensures health safety of the workers.
e) Whether Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme has been extended to Hazaribagh district. And if so, the number of beneficiaries.
f) What steps have been taken by the State Government to prohibit child labour in coal mines?
g) Whether there are sufficient schools in Hazaribagh district and adjoining areas for imparting education to children between the ages of 6 and 14 years. If not, what steps are being taken by the State Government in this direction under the Right of Children to Free & Compulsory Education Act, 2009.

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