Many coal mines in a district subject the workers to inhuman working conditions with little safety measures in place. As such, there have been several accidents and many workers have died in the past. In recognition of a recent accident where fifteen workers were trapped and died, the National Green Tribunal has ordered for closure of all such mines. Some of them have shut down, but many still continue to operate by getting an exception from the government, sometimes using the unholy nexus of politicians-miners-bureaucrats. In absence of alternative employment, the locals have no other choice but to work in mines. The mine owners are in-fact inciting the workers to protest to simultaneously put a pressure on the state to completely overturn the ban. As a District Magistrate of this district, you have been asked by the State government to prepare a report on this issue and give recommendations to resolve it. In this regard, answer the following questions: (a) Identify the interests of State and analyse whether there may be a conflict amongst them? (b) Given that economic growth is often achieved with a large human cost, identify the principles and strategies which could be used in the given case to achieve desirable outcomes.

Stakeholders in the case

Ans a

State's interest in the given situation are multifaceted :-

(1) Since India has huge reserves of coal and is dominated by the thermal power (61% of energy mix - Eco Survey 2017-18), state needs to ensure energy security of the country and meet the rising energy demand which is predicted to double by 2030 (TRAI).

(2) The Mineral exploration potential remains low, only 10% of the resources are exploited thus, state also aims to increase the mining exploration (NITI@75) potential.

(3) The economic growth vs Development is conflicted when state also needs to ensure livelihood security and Right to life of the workers.

(4) Under Art 39 State is legally mandated to ensure the employment opportunities. Also, safety of the labour working there.

(5) Our coal mining policy also puts onus on the contractors and miners to ensure the protection equipments.

Ans b

Economic growth entailing huge human costs defeats the purpose of inclusive sustainable growth.

Principles to follow : (1) A social security and insurance provisions to the workers in case of mishappening. (2) Sustainable mining in harmony with the ecological and economic growth. (3) Ensuring the Right to Life and Safety of each worker. (4) Responsibilities in case of the death to the director, team lead or the mining head of area. (5) A culture of ethics to break the nexus of Bureaucrats-politicians and miners.

Strategies to follow (1) Use of digital technology to reduce the corruption, cutting the nexus bringing transparency. A real time tracking and reporting of the illegal and mishappenings. (2) An effective Grievance redressal mechanism and clear cut SOP by DG of Mine Safety during accidents. (3) Miners and contracts to have Contractual obligation to ensure the insurance of each life. (4) Dynamite used Blasting in open cast mining be replaced with better advanced hydraulic fracturing. (5) Provisioning of the alternative sources of employment in the Mining Corridors and clusters.