To safeguard the interest of about 55 lakh workers employed in hazardous occupation including mining, the Central Government will amend the National Mines Act. The Union Labour Minister Mallikarjuna Kharge informed this to media persons in Bangalore on Tuesday. To evert tragedies such as Bhopal Gas leak, the onus will be fixed on the owners of the hazardous industries so that greater accountability is exhibited towards workers safety. Kharge said that 17 amendments are proposed to be brought to the Act for which the Cabinet has given its clearance already. The Amended Bill will be presented in the Budget Session of the Parliament. Union Labour Minister further added that after the amendment even Indian representative of foreign companies operating in India will be brought under the ambit of the new Act. The relief limits will be increased and the quantum of penalty and punishment will also be enhanced. Speaking about increasing trend of outsourcing, the minister noted that a Task Force has been constituted to suggest ways to improve the payment of workers to whom the service is outsourced. He observed that the contract labourers are exploited and paid less in the outsourcing sector and to improve their livelihood, the Government is mulling over amending the Contract Act.