By Anil Sharma, IANS
Jodhpur : The much-publicised social security schemes of the state and central governments are still far from reaching Rajasthan’s sandstone mineworkers, a survey has revealed.
Conducted by Rajasthan NGOs Gramin Vikas Vigyan Samiti (GRAVIS) and Health, Environment and Development Consortium (HEDCON) among the sandstone mineworkers of the Jodhpur region, the survey shows that the government schemes have not even been properly implemented in these areas.
Rajasthan has two million-odd sandstone mineworkers. The NGOs surveyed 100 families of mine workers in the Mandor region of Jodhpur district and the results revealed some alarming cases.
Bhagirath, a 30-year-old worker, lives with his wife and four children in the labourers’ colony of Mandor.
He has been working in the mines from the age of 16, but abject poverty continues to grip his family. If he and his wife get some work in the mines, they manage to buy some food, otherwise they are forced to borrow money.
It is difficult for Bhagirath and his family to survive in a thatched hut, which does not save them from the nature’s furies. Education is a distant dream for his children.
“In spite of all these problems, Bhagirath’s name does not exist in the list of people identified as below the poverty (BPL) line because he does not have a ration card to prove himself as a resident of this place,” the survey report notes.
Thirty five-year-old Jasraj, another mine worker, is more fortunate as his name was included in the list of BPL families in 1997, but even after 10 years, he has not benefited in any way. He is not even aware of the Indira Awas Yojana, a housing scheme for people below the poverty line.
“What to talk about a residence when even two daily meals are not ensured. In such a condition, it is not feasible for struggling parents to provide educational facilities to their children,” the survey report says.
Unhealthy working conditions have forced Jasraj to use crutches, as he is suffering from incurable silicosis.
“The implementation of social security schemes is very low. In fact, almost none were implemented in the surveyed area. The schemes that are implemented, show irregularities,” HEDCON and GRAVIS observe in the report.
The survey further cites the example of Geeta Devi, who is not eligible to receive the widow’s pension because her family income is Rs.1,200 – more than the minimum wage that makes a widow eligible for the pension.
Geeta Devi and her 11-year-old and nine-year-old sons have to work in the mines to earn some money. Her youngest son is crippled by polio. The family also has to repay the heavy debts they ran up during Geeta’s husband’s illness.
“Even after applying for pension a number of times, it was not sanctioned. Geeta is not on the shortlist of names under BPL category either. Her husband was alive when people were short-listed, and they did not fall under this category at that time,” the report says.