After two decades, girls enroll for Mining Diploma again

 

 

 

 

After a gap of nearly two decades, the mining departments in Government Polytechnics across Maharashtra will witness re-entry of girl students after the Central Government allowed girls to take admissions to the course last year. In the six districts of Nagpur Division namely Nagpur, Chandrapur, Wardha, Gadchiroli, Bhandara and Gondia, some 28 girls have given preference to mining over other courses for this academic year. In 1995, Dr Chandrani Prasad Verma (nee Chandrani Prasad) did Diploma in Mining Engineering from Government Polytechnic, Nagpur and was the only female candidate to do so, probably in the entire country.

 

 

 

The Government later came up with the stricture that ‘Female candidates are not eligible for admission to Mining and Mine Surveying and Mining Engineering course’. Chandrani Prasad faced problems as she was not allowed to do Under Graduation (BE in Mining). She fought for her right in the court of law and won. She did Under Graduation from Shri Ramdeobaba and Kamla Nehru Engineering College (now Shri Ramdeobaba College of Engineering and Management). Later, the Directorate of Technical Education (DTE) has announced that female girl candidates would be allowed to do Diploma in Mining Engineering.

 

The decision was taken in view of the recommendations made in National Education Policy (NEP) that was declared recently by the Narendra Modi Government. Dr Manoj Daigavane, who was with Brahmapuri Polytechnic is now the Principal of Government Polytechnic, Nagpur and Joint Director of Nagpur region, had moved a proposal in that regard last year. His efforts bore fruits. There are lot of opportunities for the students doing mining course. Companies producing Manganese to cement industries, to WCL are in search of in fact the mining engineers. Director of Technical Education Dr Abhay Wagh expressed his happiness over the development. He said, “It is a really good news. Now women willing to go for mining engineering do not have any hurdles in their way.

 

There are lot of opportunities in this sector, provided women are considered efficient for the job by the employer. We have some further plans for women to see if we can develop mining industry and polytechnics linkage to avail good jobs for girls.” “It is a good step and now every field is open for women. Once there were less takers for mining course but now the female candidates are allowed to take this course. Government is taking several good steps and it is one of those,” remarked Dr Vinod Mohitkar, Director of Maharashtra State Board of Technical “DTE, Maharashtra took the major decision of opening the doors of Mining and Mine surveying / Mining Engineering diploma programme for girl. I am really happy to see the positive response from girls for the programme. Today, girls are superseding boys in every field. and I am sure they will shine here too. It is a proud feeling for the institute and the Mining Departments of all Government Polytechnics of Nagpur region to see girls registering for Diploma in mining and Mine surveying programme.

 

The new rule will pave the way for mining companies to start hiring girl candidates,” said Dr Daigavane. A proposal was submitted to Courses Committee of Mining Courses headed by Dr Abhay Kumar Soni to get admissions to girl candidates in this branch that was unanimously approved. The happiness of Prof B J Naidu, Head Mining and Mine surveying department, Government Polytechnic, Nagpur knew no bounds. “This decision will certainly provide new job opportunities in Mining Industry for women candidates. In every field women have equal opportunity to work. Now mining sector too will have women working in this field,”he said.

 

 

Women working in mining now allowed Working of women in mining industry was prohibited by Mine Act 1952 Under Section 46. Later, this was amended by Directorate General Of Mines Safety (DGMS) in the year 2019 ( circular dated 29 /01/2019). The notification issued by Ministry of Labour and Employment that was published in Gazette says, “In exercise of the power confered under sub-section 1 of section 83 of the Mines Act, 1952 (35 of 1952), the Central Government exempts the women employed in any mine above ground and in any mine below ground from the provisions of section 46 of the Mines Act, 1952 subject to some conditions.”