State Level Consultation – Puducherry

In the State Level Consultation at Puducherry, 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 Chairperson of mm&P. A Participatory approach was followed in sensitizing the people on the violation of child rights in the context of Children in mining areas. There were discussions on the overview of mining throughout the country, various stages of mining, illegal sand mining in the state of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry, Samata Judgement, prospects of Tribal Cooperatives and the need for lobbying at National Level regarding Child Rights as they are being violated. 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 the 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.

State Level Consultation – Bellary, Karnataka

In the State Level Consultation at Bellary, there were discussions on the overview of mining throughout the country, various stages of mining, illegal mining, Samata Judgement, the situation of children in the mining areas and consequences on their education, health due to air and water pollution, malnutrition issues etc. There were sessions on Mining Rules & Law Amendments, DMF Structure, Set up & present status, Cooperative mining – shareholding for the tribals, Communities command over natural resources, Future Generation Fund (model of Goa), Women & Mining etc.

KMERC issue: Karnataka is the first state in the country to have a first of its kind Special Purpose Vehicle named ‘Karnataka Mining Environment Restoration Corporation for Reclamation and Rehabilitation of Mining Affected Community and Areas’. This SPV was constituted following the direction of the Supreme Court. Iron ore Miner’s contribute 10 per cent of sale proceeds to this SPV.

According to sources more than 10,000 crores is accumulated under this SPV from 2013 till date. State Legislature has No Control over the finances of this SPV. The Supreme Court has earlier rejected three socioeconomic R&R plans submitted by the Govt of Karnataka on the reason that State has included its regular schemes under this special plan meant for people and areas ravaged by illegal, reckless mining. The Court has set a deadline to the State Govt to submit R&R Plan by October’ 2018. In all likelihood, there is a fear that it will again turn into a big scam like illegal mining scam of Ballari. Since,

here too, till date, State Govt has not appointed two distinguished persons from civil society as Directors of the Corporation despite a recommendation by the Central Empowered Committee.

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. A Participatory approach was followed in sensitizing the people on the violation of child rights in the context of Children in mining areas.

State Level Consultation – Mandvi, Surat

State Level Consultation on Children in Mining Area, DMF, PESA was held at Mandvi, Surat, Gujarat on 11th June’ 2017 – 133 participants

In the Consultation, there were discussions on Self-rule in village level, PESA – Role of Gram Sabha, Election of Sarpanch, Schedule V & VI of the constitution, migration and displacement of families due to development projects like mining, nuclear power, power projects, reservoirs etc. One issue that was prominently discussed was the plight of migrant laborers especially women and children. It was also highlighted that without the free and prior consent of villagers not a single development project should be cleared by the authorities.

The Secretary-General 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. A participatory approach was followed in sensitizing the people on violation of child rights in the context of Children in mining areas.

State Level Consultation – Kolkata

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 Consultation – Ghatsila

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.

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