In the ongoing winter session of the Parliament, Pralhad Joshi, Minister of Parliamentary Affairs, Coal and Mines provided details of the funds that have been allocated under the Conservation and Safety of coal mines for the last five years. As per the data made available by the minister on December 4, there has been a stark decrease in the amount allocation. From 59.5 crores in 2018-2019, the fund allocation was decreased to 4 crores in 2019-20. In the following year, i.e. from 2020-21, the fund allocation was increased to 6 crores, which was again decreased to 4.5 crores in 2021-22. In the period of 2022-23, the fund was further decreased to 4 crores.
These figures come as a shock since there has not been a significant decrease in the number of coal accidents, evidenced by the data provided below. Multiple ministers, namely Digvijaya Singh (INC), Shaktisinh Gohil (INC), Mukul Balkrishna Wasnik (INC), Dr. Amee Yajnik (INC), Phulo Devi Netam (INC) and Dhiraj Prasad Sahu (INC) had asked the union minister for state-wise data on number of accidents reported in coal mines since 2019.
As per the tables provided in the answer, up till November 20 of the year 2023, a total of 119 incidents coal mining accidents had taken place. Out of this 119, 30 accidents were fatal while 89 were serious. Notably, the highest number of fatal incidents took place in Jharkhand where eight fatalities were recorded while 59 people were recorded to be seriously injured in Telangana.
The table also provides data for the years 2018 to 2022. In the year 2018, a total of 315 accidents took place, out of which 49 were fatal and 266 were serious accidents. The state of Chhattisgarh reported the highest number of fatal accidents, a total of eleven, while Telangana reported 207 serious accidents.
For the year 2019, a total of 244 coal accidents were reported, out of which 51 were fatal and 193 were serious. Jharkhand reported eleven fatal accidents. The state of Telangana again reported the highest number of serious coal accidents, accounting for 143 serious accidents out of the total of 193.
In the year 2020, 48 fatal accidents and 118 serious accidents were reported, forming a total of 166 accidents. A total of 12 fatal incidents were reported in Chhattisgarh, highest amongst the listed states. While Telangana reported the highest number of serious accidents, accounting for a total of 80 out of 118, the number of such incidents had fallen from the past years.
For the year 2021, a total of 231 accidents took place, out of which 43 were fatal and 188 were serious accidents. The state of West Bengal reported the highest number of fatal accidents, a total of ten, while Telangana reported 127 serious accidents.
Lastly, in 2022, 203 coal accidents were reported, out of which 24 were fatal and 179 were serious. The state of Jharkhand reported 7 fatal incidents, forming the maximum from amongst the listed states. The state of Telangana reported 101 serious accidents.
As can be deduced from the data provided, over the period of 5 years, Telangana reported a total of 717 serious accidents.
The tables on accidents in coal mines are provided below:
The complete answer can be viewed here:
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