Human safety must always come first: President tells miners

New Delhi, Aug 17 :  President Ram Nath Kovind today advised the miners to maintain a balance between greater productivity, profit margins and the safety of workers, since saving the human lives was their utmost priority. Presenting the National Safety Awards (Mines) for 2013 and 2014 at Vigyan Bhawan here, he said the human safety and lives must always come first, as they are the priority. Mr Kovind said India is endowed with an impressive mineral wealth. Today, the mineral sector contributes 2.6 per cent of the national GDP and provides direct employment to over one million people on a daily average basis, helping the lives of their families. In recent decades, the Indian mining industry has progressed appreciably in production and productivity through intensive mechanisation and adoption of new technology. Never before in its long history has the Indian mining industry experienced such revolutionary change, at such an accelerated pace, he pointed out. The President said he was confident that the National Safety Awards in Mines will continue to be an excellent motivator for upholding safety and welfare standards in the mines of the country. The safety practices of the award winning mines from today's event should be case studies for students of mining engineering and management. Students should also visit such mines as part of their familiarisation programmes, he added. The President urged mining companies to design enlightened policies to give back to workers and families of workers, to the local community and to the larger society. UNI