144. Duties of manager etc. in emergency.- (1) On receiving information of any emergency likely to require the services of a rescue team, the manager or in absence of manager, the principal official present at the surface, shall immediately-

(i) inform the rescue room or the rescue stations serving the mine for necessary assistance;

(ii) summon rescue trained person employed in the mine;

(iii) inform the owner, agent or manager of nearby mines to make available the services of rescue trained persons employed therein if so required;

(iv) inform the rescue station about the nature of the occurrence; stating whether assistance would be needed from the rescue station;

(v) summon medical assistance; and

(vi) send information of the occurrence to the Inspector-cum-Facilitator.

(2) All rescue and recovery work at a below ground mine shall be conducted under the control, direction and supervision of the manager of the mine or in absence of the manager, the principal official present at the surface:

Provided that in the event of a major emergency, such as ignition, explosion, underground fire or an accident involving a number of persons, the manager or the principal official shall, in taking decisions regarding rescue and recovery operations, take guidance from a group consisting of a senior official of the management , a representative each from the Director General of Mines Safety, concerned rescue station and the recognised Union of the Workers, so however manager or the principal official must take necessary decisions and direct the operations as the situation warrants, without waiting for the constitution or deliberations of the said group.