Narmadapuram: Sand mining workers, financial crisis and unemployment

Karbala Ghat is next to Sethani Ghat in Hoshangabad, now Narmadapuram. This ghat of Hoshangabad, now Narmadapuram is known for illegal sand mining. In the year 2013, while giving its verdict on illegal sand mines located across the country, NGT had ordered to shut down sand mines for which 'Environment Clearance' had not been acquired. The sand mine of Karbala Ghat was also included in this. Even after this, illegal sand mining from Narmada did not stop. But, the livelihood of more than 300 labourers like Mahesh Manjhi was definitely in danger.

The contract has been closed since 2013

In Madhya Pradesh, the allocation of sand mines is done through contracts. But Mahesh Manjhi, a resident of Bhilpura in Hoshangabad, says that since 2013, no contract has been signed for the mine of Karbala. Manjhi used to work as a labourer in this mine. However after the closure of the legal mines, their organized livelihood was destroyed. He further says,

“Whenever a contractor applies to take over this mine legally, he is refused citing one reason or the other.”

Illegal sand mining is still in operation

Even though Karbala Ghat has been declared unfit for legal sand mining, illegal sand mining still continues here. Mahesh says,

“Excavation is being done by the mafia by installing machines. In such a situation, there is no point in making Ghat mine illegal.”

After the mine was deemed illegal, the government did not provide any rehabilitation to the unemployed workers. These labourers now do house painting, brick lifting and other labour work.

Labour has now become a compulsion

“Labor has now become a compulsion,” says Suresh (name changed) on condition of anonymity. Explaining this he says,

“We do not have any committed work for 12 months. One cannot feed the family just by working as a labourer in the city. Then one is forced to fill illegal sand trolleys.”

Most of the labourers who previously worked in the mines still work to fill sand trolleys in illegal mines. The only difference is that now they are getting only half of the wages they were getting earlier. Whereas Sohanlal Manjhi says that he never thought in his life that,

“There will come days when the mine will be closed and we will have to wander for work.”

Half wages

Explaining the mathematics of legal and illegal mines, Mahesh says, “Earlier (when the mines became legal), ten-wheelers used to come from Bhopal. The filling used to be from 2500 to 3000… now the filling of trolleys is available only from 500 to 600.” Actually, these labourers have a team of 10 people. Earlier, two and a half thousand rupees were distributed among these ten people. Now Rs 600 has to be distributed among 10 people. Apart from this, the labourers working here say that earlier many ten wheelers used to come. Here, they could earn more in the whole day. However, now only a few trolleys come throughout the day.

“It has become difficult to make ends meet”

Describing the impact of the changed circumstances, Sohanlal Manjhi says, “Earlier our food expenses were managed well. Now it is difficult to sustain even for two meals.” He points out that the current wages from mining are not only low but also uncertain.

“If the trolley is not seized, then the wages are paid on the second day after the sand is sold. If the administration seizes the trolley, no wages are paid.”

Lalita Santore, who lives here, believes that her brothers should be given jobs immediately.

“When our brothers work, the house runs; if they do not have work, we will also face problems.”

The government does not have any roadmap

Sitting BJP MLA from this area, Sitasharan Sharma, while talking to Ground Report, says,

“I have always put pressure on the contractors here to ensure that the workers here get wages.”

However, no steps have ever been taken by the government for their rehabilitation. Mahesh Sharma says that he has repeatedly requested the local MLA and the Chief Minister to solve this problem. But till now the government does not have any roadmap regarding this.

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