You are the chief secretary of a state where primitive and dangerous form of coal extraction is widely prevalent despite the ban. There has been a tragedy in one of the rat-hole mining site in which 10 people are trapped inside and feared dead. After the disaster struck, there was failure on the part of the administration to launch an immediate rescue effort. Further, due to nonavailability of quality equipments to dewater the stricken mine the search and rescue team has not met with any success so far. You are aware that such practices have state’s politician’s blessings; it also has local community support since there are very few alternate employment opportunities in the area and there is an abundant supply of migrant labour from the neighbouring state.

As a senior officer entrusted with the responsibility, what steps would you take to address the issue?