PMKKKY and Realities of Mining Labourers in Bhilwara

The Central Government announced the launch of the Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY) in 2015. This is a new programme meant to provide for the welfare of areas and people affected by mining-related operations, using the funds generated by District Mineral Foundations (DMFs).

 Sand stone mine in Bagor village in rainy season

The objective of PMKKKY scheme:-

To implement various developmental and welfare projects/programs in mining-affected areas that complement the existing ongoing schemes/projects of State and Central Government;

To minimize/mitigate the adverse impacts, during and after mining, on the environment, health and socio-economics of people in mining districts; and to ensure long-term sustainable livelihoods for the affected people in mining areas. Care has been taken to include all aspects of living, to ensure substantial improvement in the quality of life. High priority areas like drinking water supply, health care, sanitation, education, skill development, women and child care, the welfare of aged and disabled people, skill development and environment conservation will get at least 60 % share of the funds.

For creating a supportive and conducive living environment, balance funds will be spent on making roads, bridges, railways, waterways projects, irrigation and alternative energy sources. This way, the government is facilitating mainstreaming of the people from lower strata of society, tribals and forest-dwellers who have no wherewithal and are affected the most from mining activities.

The Mines and Minerals (Development & Regulation) Amendment Act, 2015, mandated the setting up of District Mineral Foundations (DMFs) in all districts in the country affected by mining-related operations. The Central Government notified the rates of contribution payable by miners to the DMFs. In case of all mining leases executed before 12th January 2015 (the date of coming into force of the Amendment Act), miners will have to contribute an amount equal to 30% of the royalty payable by them to the DMFs. Where mining leases are granted after 12.01.2015, the rate of contribution would be 10% of the royalty payable. Using the funds generated by this contribution, the DMFs are expected to implement the PMKKKY.

The Central Government has issued a directive to the State Governments, under Section 20A of the MMDR Act, 1957, laying down the guidelines for implementation of PMKKKY and directing the States to incorporate the same in the rules framed by them for the DMFs. The DMFs have also been directed to maintain the utmost transparency in their functioning and provide periodic reports on the various projects and schemes taken up by them.

Mines worker -

As we already discussed the PMKKKY that is meant for the welfare of mines worker and people living in the mining area who are directly or indirectly affected by mining. But if we go through the realities of the scheme we found nothing like this. We talked with many people about the PMKKKY even educated people too they don’t know about this scheme. We went to almost 7-8 villages of Mandal block of Bhilwara District where we found that there are many issues they have in terms of education, drinking water, health care services and employment. Most of the people who have been worked in the mining and still who are working belongs to SC-ST. This block has 6 % Bhil (Tribe) population who all working in the mining. We talked with some people from the Bhil community, one person from them was telling us that he has been working for 20 years in the mining. When we asked him about what kind of facilities he get during mining he told us that only water tanker for drinking water other than this they get nothing. He was telling that it is very difficult and hard working job to do and Bhil community can do this work as they are very hard working people. ‘We drink alcohol because we got tired after coming from the work’, said by the people of the community. We asked about the DMFT to many people in the different villages, people do not aware about the name they heard this for the first time from us. We explained it and tried to make them understand that this is all for your benefit.

Discussion with mine workers in Bhawlas village 

I am surprised that why government launching everyday new scheme for the poor if people even don’t hear the name of the scheme after 2-3 years of the schemes. This is too far that schemes will implement at the grassroots without educating affected people about the schemes honestly. people facing many problems in the mining sector but when we asked them that what kind of facilities which is necessary for the mine workers most of the mine workers said that we don’t know and some of said that they don’t want anything, we have enough facilities. This shows that mine workers trapped into the conspiracy of mine owners and corrupt power holding people. They made workers like this that they feel happy and enough what they got in terms of facilities and wages.

BY- 
NEERAJ BUNKAR