'Only 90 of 285 coal mining companies have permits'

KARACHI:

Sindh Energy Minister Imtiaz Shaikh was informed on Monday that just 195 companies out of 285 operating in the coal mine development sector in Sindh had been issued coal exploration licences, while only 90 had coal mining permits.

The energy minister was given this briefing while chairing a meeting, where he directed coal mining companies in Sindh to get their miners and workers registered. In case they fail to do so, their lease and permits will be cancelled and legal action initiated.

The meeting also reviewed measures for the safety and welfare of miners in the province and recommended that the shortage of security personnel at the coal mines be met. The meeting decided that a joint camp be set up in Lakhra before Ramazan. In this respect it was decided that Vice Commissioner SESSI, labour department officials, Deputy Director Coal Mines Hyderabad and Coal Mines Association Jamshoro district will visit Lakhra Coal Mines next week to register miners.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 24^th, 2021.