RTI for Rajasthan Labour Department: Stone Quarry Workers, BOCW & Salt Worker Welfare

Rajasthan is India's largest stone quarrying state by area and output. The state is the primary source of Makrana marble — a white marble of exceptional quality holding a Geographical Indication (GI) tag, used in the Taj Mahal and hundreds of historic monuments — as well as Jodhpur sandstone, Kota stone, and pink Dholpur sandstone that together supply the country's construction and heritage restoration industries. Stone quarrying districts including Nagaur, Rajsamand, Jodhpur, and the Makrana marble belt in Nagaur district employ hundreds of thousands of workers in conditions of significant occupational hazard. Silicosis — a progressive, incurable lung disease caused by inhaling fine silica dust — is the defining occupational health crisis of Rajasthan's quarrying workforce.

Beyond quarrying, the Rajasthan Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board manages one of India's larger BOCW welfare funds, covering construction workers across the state's rapidly urbanising cities and infrastructure projects. Rajasthan also hosts two distinctive salt production zones — Sambhar Lake in Ajmer district (the largest inland salt lake in India) and Pachpadra Salt Works in Barmer — whose workers represent a small but legally distinct category of unorganised labour with specific welfare entitlements.

The Right to Information Act, 2005 is a powerful tool for quarry workers, construction labourers, salt workers, trade unions, journalists, and civil society organisations to access inspection records, welfare scheme data, Silicosis compensation details, and enforcement action from the Rajasthan Labour Department and its subordinate offices.

What Information Can You Seek?

RTI applications to the Rajasthan Labour Department can access a wide range of records:

Stone Quarry and Mine Safety: Inspection records under the Mines Act 1952 and Rajasthan Factories Act for quarry clusters in Nagaur (Makrana marble belt), Rajsamand (Rajnagar sandstone), Jodhpur (Sursagar sandstone), and Chittorgarh (limestone). You can seek the number of inspections conducted, violations recorded, notices issued, prosecutions launched, and fines collected from specific operators or across a district.

Silicosis Policy Implementation: The Rajasthan Silicosis Policy 2019 provides ₹3 lakh compensation to workers diagnosed with Silicosis and ₹5 lakh to those diagnosed with Silicosis-TB. RTI can reveal district-wise counts of certified cases, compensation disbursed, pending claims, cases pending before the Silicosis Compensation Board, and prosecutions against quarry operators for failing to provide dust suppression and personal protective equipment.

BOCW Welfare Fund: The Rajasthan Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board registers construction workers and disburses welfare benefits. RTI can reveal district-wise registration figures, benefits paid under each scheme — accident compensation, scholarship under Mukhyamantri Shramik Sikhya Protsahan Yojana for workers' children, Shubh Shakti Yojana financial assistance for BOCW women workers' daughters, maternity benefit, and medical aid — as well as the cess collected versus welfare disbursed.

Salt Worker Welfare: RTI can obtain registration data and welfare benefit disbursement records for salt workers at Sambhar Lake (Ajmer district) and Pachpadra Salt Works (Barmer district), unregistered worker identification drives, and compliance with the Minimum Wages Act for this category of labour.

Factory Inspection Records: Inspection registers, improvement notices, and prosecution records for factories across Rajasthan's industrial corridors in Jaipur, Alwar, Kota, and Bhilwara are accessible through RTI.

How to File RTI

Step 1: Identify the correct public authority. For state-level data or policy implementation, address your application to the CPIO at the Labour Commissioner's office, Jaipur. For district-level matters — specific quarry inspection records, BOCW registrations in one block, Silicosis compensation cases in a single district — file with the Assistant Labour Commissioner or Labour Inspector of the relevant district.

Step 2: Draft your application precisely. Specify the district, time period, the name of the quarry cluster or establishment if known, and the exact type of records sought. Vague requests produce incomplete responses.

Step 3: File online through the RTI Online portal at rtionline.gov.in, selecting the Rajasthan Labour Department. The Rajasthan government's own portal at rti.rajasthan.gov.in also accepts applications for state departments. Alternatively, send by registered post with a crossed Indian Postal Order (IPO) of ₹10 in favour of the Accounts Officer of the relevant office. BPL cardholders may claim fee exemption by enclosing a copy of their BPL card.

Step 4: Note the acknowledgement number and track the response. The CPIO must respond within 30 days of receipt.

Key RTI Act Provisions

The Rajasthan Labour Department and all its subordinate offices — including district labour offices, the Rajasthan BOCW Welfare Board, and the Labour Commissioner's secretariat — are public authorities under Section 2(h) of the Right to Information Act, 2005.

• Section 6: No reason need be given for requesting information.
• Section 7(1): Response required within 30 days of receipt of the application.
• Section 7(1) proviso: 48-hour response if the information concerns the life or liberty of a person — applicable, for instance, to emergency safety information about a trapped worker or an ongoing mine accident.
• Section 20: The appellate authority (RSIC) can impose a penalty of ₹250 per day (up to ₹25,000) on the defaulting CPIO for unjustified delay or refusal, and recommend disciplinary action.

First Appeal

If the CPIO does not respond within 30 days, or if the response is incomplete or unsatisfactory, file a First Appeal under Section 19(1) of the RTI Act within 30 days of the date of decision or expiry of the 30-day response period, whichever is applicable. Address the First Appeal to the First Appellate Authority — the Additional Labour Commissioner or Joint Labour Commissioner in the same department. No fee is required. Attach copies of your original application and the CPIO's response (if any), and state clearly why the response is inadequate.

Second Appeal

If the First Appellate Authority also fails to respond satisfactorily, file a Second Appeal under Section 19(3) of the RTI Act with the Rajasthan State Information Commission (RSIC) in Jaipur — constituted under Section 15 of the RTI Act, 2005. The Second Appeal must be filed within 90 days of the FAA's decision or the expiry of the FAA's response period. RSIC has jurisdiction over all Rajasthan state public authorities, including the Rajasthan Labour Department, the BOCW Welfare Board, and all district labour offices.

Important: Do NOT file the Second Appeal with the Central Information Commission (CIC). The CIC has jurisdiction only over Central Government bodies such as ESIC and EPFO. For all Rajasthan Labour Department records, the correct second appellate authority is RSIC.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which office handles RTI for Rajasthan Labour Department?

The State Public Information Officer at the Labour Commissioner's office in Jaipur handles state-level RTI. For district-level matters, file with the Assistant Labour Commissioner or Labour Inspector of the respective district.

How can RTI help stone quarry workers with Silicosis compensation in Rajasthan?

RTI can reveal the list of certified Silicosis patients in any district, compensation paid under the Rajasthan Silicosis Policy (₹3 lakh for Silicosis, ₹5 lakh for Silicosis-TB), pending claims, and prosecutions launched against quarry operators.

Can RTI reveal BOCW welfare fund registration details in Rajasthan?

Yes. RTI can provide block/district-wise BOCW registration data, benefits disbursed under Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan, scholarship amounts for construction workers' children, and accident compensation disbursals.

What is the first appeal process for Rajasthan Labour RTI?

If no reply is received within 30 days, file a First Appeal under Section 19(1) of the RTI Act within 30 days of the date of decision or expiry of the 30-day response period, whichever is applicable with the First Appellate Authority (Additional Labour Commissioner or Joint Labour Commissioner) in the same department.

Where do I file a second appeal for Rajasthan Labour RTI?

Second appeals under Section 19(3) of the RTI Act go to the Rajasthan State Information Commission (RSIC) in Jaipur, not the Central Information Commission.

Can RTI help marble mine workers in Kishangarh or Makrana get safety information?

Yes. RTI can reveal frequency and outcome of factory/mines inspections at specific quarry clusters, Silicosis screening camp records, prosecution data against operators, and welfare measures implemented for workers.