Category: Our work

State level workshop on Children and Mining, Illegal Mining, DMF and PESA was conducted at Kolkata, West Bengal. The meeting was presided over by the Chairperson and Secretary General of mm&P. The Chairperson introduced the theme of the workshop and why children’s rights should not be neglected especially in the mining areas.

There were discussions on the overview of mining throughout the country, various stages of mining, illegal mining, Samata Judgement, prospects of Tribal Cooperatives and the need for lobbying at National Level regarding Child Rights as they are being violated. There were discussions on the situation of children in mining areas as it has three aspects to it. Firstly, children (Child Labour) engaged in a hazardous industry. Secondly, those children who are not working in the mines but are living there and thirdly parents of the children who work in the mines. In all these aspects, the rights of the child get undermined.

In the consultation at West Bengal, there were elaborative discussions on illegal coal mining in Raniganj, Asansol and its present scenario. There were also discussions on the Rampal Thermal Power Plant at Sunderban and its impact on the local communities, etc.

A short documentary film “Falling through the cracks – Children and Mining” was screened and followed by a detailed session on the plight of children in mining areas by the Secretary-General of mm&P. Participatory approach was followed in sensitizing the people on violation of child rights in the context of Children in mining areas.

State level workshop on Children and Mining was conducted at Ghatsila, Jharkhand. The meeting was presided over by the Chairperson and Secretary General of mm&P. The Chairperson introduced the theme of the workshop and why children’s rights should not be neglected especially in the mining areas.

A short documentary film “Falling through the cracks – Children and Mining” was screened and followed by a detailed session on the plight of children in mining areas by the Secretary General of mm&P. Participatory approach was followed in sensitizing the people on violation of child rights in the context of Children in mining areas.

One issue that was prominently discussed was the plight of migrant laborers especially women and children. Most of the CSR or development activities by the mining company or the administration do not take into account the migrant population. These are the most marginalized groups who find it hard to understand the reasons for discrimination at all levels of our society.

State level workshop on Children and Mining was conducted at Panna, Madhya Pradesh. The meeting was presided over by the Chairperson and Secretary General of mm&P. The Chairperson introduced the theme of the workshop and why children’s rights should not be neglected especially in the mining areas.

A short documentary film “Falling through the cracks – Children and Mining” was screened and followed by a detailed session on the plight of children in mining areas by the Secretary General of mm&P. Participatory approach was followed in sensitizing the people on violation of child rights in the context of Children in mining areas.

There was a session on the Child Labour Prohibition and Regulation Act and Child Labour in connection with mining. There were discussions on the situation of children in mining areas as it has three aspects to it. Firstly, children (Child Labour) engaged in a hazardous industry. Secondly, those children who are not working in the mines but are living there and thirdly parents of the children who work in the mines. In all these aspects, the rights of the child get undermined. There were discussions on the situation of children in the mining areas and consequences on their education like becoming dropouts, consequences on their health due to air and water pollution, malnutrition issues etc. According to the sources, almost 50% of children across states are malnourished, malnourishment is widespread and acute in mining areas. Panna (Madhya Pradesh) is the state where malnutrition among children is the highest out of all the mining areas.

An important issue that was discussed was regarding the problems & people affected with Silicosis, deaths due to Silicosis. Safety issues of the mine workers, Panna Tiger Reserve Area – Displacement, Migrant Labours and Women’s Health were other issues discussed in the Consultation.