11Power of Inspectors

(1) The Chief Inspector or any Inspector may make such examination and inquiries as he thinks fit in order to ascertain whether the provisions of this Act or of any rules and orders made thereunder are being complied with.

(2) The Chief Inspector or any Inspector may, with such assistance, if any, as he thinks fit, enter, inspect and examine at any time by day or night any coal mine in order to ensure that stowing or any other operation has been, or is being, done effectively:

Provided that the power conferred by this sub-section shall not be exercised in such a manner as unreasonably to impede or obstruct the working of the mine.

(3) Without prejudice to the provisions of the Mines Act, 1952 (35 of 1952), the Chief Inspector or any Inspector may, by order in writing, addressed to the owner, agent or manager of a coal mine, require him to take such protective measures, including stowing, in the mine as the Chief Inspector or the Inspector may think necessary, if in the opinion of the Chief Inspector or Inspector--

(a) the extraction or reduction of pillars in any part of the coal mine is likely to cause the crushing of pillars or the premature collapse of any part of the workings or otherwise endanger human life or the coal mine or a railway, or

(b) adequate provision against the outbreak of fire or flooding has not been made by providing for the sealing off and isolation of any part of the coal mine or for restricting the area that might be affected by fire or flooding as the case may be.

(4) The powers conferred on the Inspector under sub-sections (1), (2) and (3) may also be exercised by such officer of the Central Government as that Government may, by notification, specify in this behalf.