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Banjara Development Society (BDS) was established to facilitate the care, compensation and education of families affected by Silicosis and Silico-Tuberculosis living in the Nallamallai forest areas of Telangana (earlier Andhra Pradesh). Silicosis affected miners were working without protective gear and were exposed to high doses of silica dust. BDS works to properly equip these miners, shut down unsafe mines, and get justice for their families.

Some of their activities are:

• Advocacy: BDS highlighted the difference between silicosis and tuberculosis to the Parliament Legislative Assembly and brought it to the attention of the National Human Rights Commission and Union Health Minister. As a result, the Director of Medical Education, Government of Andhra Pradesh (now state partioned to form Telangana) certified that workers suffering from silicosis and silico-tuberculosis would undergo a different medical examination. BDS also worked with local hospitals to establish awareness of these diseases.
• Compensation: The organisation worked with the High Court to get compensation for people affected by these diseases and were successful in March of 2013. As per the High Court order, former workers and families of workers afflicted by Silicosis would be eligible for compensation after a thorough medical examination.