Date:10/09/2006 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2006/09/10/stories/2006091002321200.htm

National

Kin of 48 miners given provisional employment

Special Correspondent

KOLKATA: With the recovery of all the 50 bodies of miners trapped inside the Nagda colliery near Dhanbad, the two-day rescue operation came to a close late on Friday night. The mine will be shut down for now. A decision on sealing it will be taken later, based on the opinion of the Directorate General of Mines Safety.

Partha S. Bhattacharya, CMD of Bharat Coking Coal Ltd (BCCL) which owns the mine, told The Hindu that letters of appointment for provisional employment were given to 48 persons with the option of joining surface duties. Of these 38 are tribals and are either the sons or wives of the deceased miners. The family of one miner opted for monetary compensation and response is awaited from another family.

Mr. Bhattacharya said 57 had entered the mine on Wednesday night.