Are Minimum Wages for Coal Mine Contractors Governed by the Mines Act or National Agreement?

Discussion on Minimum Wages for Coal Mines

Recently, I had a discussion with the Commissioner of the Coal Mines Provident Fund. During the inspection of documents by him, he pointed out that nothing from the minimum wages circulated by the Ministry of Labour and Employment (Deputy Chief Labour Commissioner) for the concerned region shall be applicable to the Coal Mines, as Coal Mines are governed by the Mines Act 1952. All the wages paid to contractor labor shall be in accordance with the National Coal Wages Agreement, which is revised from time to time (currently IX running).

The discussion actually revolved around the minimum wages for contractual watch and ward personnel deployed in mines and office premises. I need some clarification on this matter.

Regards,
Yashwant Singh

The minimum wages for watch and ward personnel in coal mines are as follows:

1. For DGR-empaneled personnel posted in non-mining areas such as headquarters offices, etc., the minimum wage is as prescribed by DGR.
2. For watch and ward personnel posted in coal mining areas, the minimum wage is as prescribed by the High Power Committee constituted for Coal Mines, which is the midway wage between the minimum wage as per NCWA (National Coal Wage Agreement) and the minimum wage as prescribed by the Central Government for non-coal mines.

Kindly correct me if there is any wrong information posted.

Thanks.