Jharkhand News : The Chief Minister’s Secretariat had sought a report on silicosis victims from the district administration within 15 days, but even after 10 months the report has not been submitted. As a result, 1,316 silicosis patients are still waiting for compensation.
The Occupational Safety & Health Association of Jharkhand (OSHAJ) had earlier submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister detailing 1,356 silicosis cases recorded between 2007 and 2024 in four blocks of Jamshedpur. The organization stated that only 37 patients have received compensation so far, while the rest of the cases remain pending due to lack of proper investigation. Some of the affected workers have also died during this period.
CM Secretariat Ordered Investigation
Taking the seriousness of the matter into account, the Chief Minister’s Secretariat wrote to the Deputy Commissioner of Jamshedpur on May 7, 2025, directing that the details of the victims be verified and a report submitted within 15 days.
Following this directive, the Deputy Commissioner wrote to the superintendent of MGM Medical College Hospital asking for the formation of a medical board to examine suspected silicosis patients. The list of victims provided by OSHAJ was also forwarded to the hospital.
Medical Board Formed, But Process Delayed
Based on the DC’s instructions, MGM Medical College Hospital issued an order on September 25, 2025, forming a medical board. The board held its meeting on October 4, 2025, during which it decided to provide training on a new diagnostic technology known as ILO Software for detecting silicosis.
Subsequently, the hospital organized a training program for the software on November 4, 2025. The training and related preparations took about seven months, delaying the investigation process.
Even after the training, the final examination report of the silicosis victims has not yet been submitted to the Chief Minister’s office, preventing affected workers from receiving compensation.
Compensation Status
Out of the 1,356 identified cases from 2007–2024, only 37 victims have received compensation so far. Each received ₹4 lakh, totaling ₹1.49 crore.
Block-wise figures of silicosis victims in Jamshedpur:
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Musabani: 514 victims – 34 received compensation
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Dumaria: 242 victims – 1 received compensation
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Dhalbhumgarh: 536 victims – 2 received compensation
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Gudabandha: 61 victims – 0 received compensation
Due to the pending investigation report, hundreds of silicosis victims and their families are still waiting for financial relief, raising serious concerns about delays in administrative action.
