The government has announced a 300% increase in in ex-gratia amount for fatal coal mine accidents from Rs 5 lakh to Rs 15 lakh. This measure will cover over 3.5 lakh families of miners working under Coal India and its subsidiaries in eight states of the country, said Pralhad Joshi, while addressing miners at Mahanadi Coalfields Limited in Odisha.
The minister undertook an aerial survey of Talcher Coalfields in operated by Mahanadi Coalfields Limited. MCL is the second largest subsidiary of Coal India, India’s largest coal producer. MCL contributes a quarter of the total coal output of Coal India.
The government will strive for better living conditions for the common man and is working towards creating entrepreneurship and job opportunities for the country’s youth. MCL will offer jobs to more than 4,000 land oustees by 2024-25.
MCL will invest more than Rs 9,000 crore for the creation of railway infrastructure to facilitate seamless transportation of coal. It will run mobile medical units in nearby villages to offer free healthcare to the needy.