Silicosis patients from Rajasthan hail NHRC intervention; families of 21 persons who died due to silicosis paid rupees one lakh ex-gratia amount

New Delhi, February 23rd, 2011

The National Human Right Commission, NHRC, assured a group of about sixty mine workers affected with silicosis that it will take all possible steps under its command to ensure that all the patients of silicosis are provided proper medical care and appropriate monetary relief is paid to their family in case of their death.
The group led by an NGO came to the Commission from Jodhpur to express gratitude towards NHRC for its intervention in the matter following which the Government of Rajasthan has given ex-gratia payment of rupees one lakh each to the next of kin of the 21 persons who died due to silicosis. They also informed that the State Government of Rajashtan has issued notification in respect of measures to be adopted for prevention of silicosis.
The group comprised men and women mine workers who among them included silicosis patients and also the next of kin of those who died due to silicosis.
Sharing the concerns of the patients of silicosis and their families on lack of proper medical facilities and compensation in Rajasthan, Mr. P.C. Sharma, Member, NHRC told them that the Commission will take up the matter with the State Government. It will also look into the aspect of proper wages to the mine workers in the State.
Silicosis is a disease caused due to inhalation of silica, and it is often mixed up with tuberculosis due to lack of awareness. The disease is considered incurable but if timely precautions are taken then the people can save themselves from it. These include measures like using a mask while working in mines and construction sites.
The Commission had asked the Chief Secretary, Government of Rajasthan on the 5th April, 2010 to submit a report whether some monetary relief has been paid to the next of kin of the 21 victims of silicosis and what steps are taken for the medication and rehabilitation of 44 persons who contracted silicosis while working in sand stone mine in Jodhpur.
The findings of the Commission about the number of persons died due to silicosis and those suffering from it were based on the report of its Investigation Division.
The team was sent following a complaint by Mr. Ashok Kumar, President of Mine Labour Protection Campaign, Jodhpur, Rajasthan on the 6th November, 2009 that over 40000 workers were employed in about 7000 sand stone quarries in Jodhpur without being provided any identity cards to claim compensation under the Workman Compensation Act. He also alleged that the Government of Rajasthan was not taking appropriate steps for the benefits of these workers.
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