Jayant mine accident: rod fell from machine onto worker’s chest, questions raised over private hospital admission
A helper with a contractor firm was seriously injured at NCL’s Jayant coal mine in Singrauli when a rod fell from a machine. His family alleged the company paid only Rs 200 and left him at a private hospital.
A serious accident occurred on Sunday at the Jayant coal mine of Northern Coalfields Limited (NCL). Shyam Babu Yadav, an employee of contractor firm CMPL, which was carrying out overburden removal work, was injured when an iron rod fell from a machine.
Shyam Babu, a resident of Gorbi area, had worked for the company as a helper for a year and a half. During the Sunday afternoon shift, while he was working on the machine, a heavy rod attached to the bucket suddenly fell on his chest. The impact was so strong that he collapsed unconscious on the spot.
The injured worker was reportedly admitted by company officials to a private hospital in Singrauli, where he was being treated in serious condition. His family alleged that the company left him at the hospital after giving only Rs 200 and washed its hands of further responsibility.
According to those familiar with the matter, people injured in accidents at NCL mines had by rule to be treated at the company’s own hospital. In this case, however, the worker was admitted to a private hospital in disregard of the rules, raising questions about the company’s working. NCL public relations officer Ram Vijay Singh said the matter was not yet in his knowledge and that the position would be clarified after an inquiry.
