Compensation to families of expired miners increased

KARACHI:

The provincial government has decided to increase the compensation for each miner, who expired during mining activities in Sindh, from Rs1 million to Rs1.5 million.

According to the decisions made in the meeting of mine owners and representatives of miners under the chairmanship of Sindh Energy Minister Imtiaz Shaikh, permission was given for mining in Lakhra Coal of district Jamshoro on the demand of mine owners while mining in Jhampir will remain suspended owing to uncertain weather and monsoon season.

Speaking at the meeting, Sindh energy minister held mine owners responsible for such incidents.

He expressed condolences over the tragic incident in Jhampir in which nine precious lives of mining labourers were lost. He said that the FIR of the incident has been lodged on the complaint of chief inspector of mines.

The manager and contractor, named in the FIR, have been arrested, while the police are conducting raids to arrest the mine owner.

Their crime is that mining activities were going on during heavy rains, Imtiaz Sheikh said, adding that a permanent law will be made to prevent such incidents in future. The government will take all measures to protect the lives of workers, he said, adding, safety precautions are being checked at all the mines in Thatta and Jamshoro.

According to the prevailing laws, the permit of the mine owner will be cancelled if safety loopholes are identified during the course of inspection and audit, he said, adding that action will also be taken under mining laws against those showing negligence.

Imtiaz Sheikh said that two rescue centres will also be established in Lakhra where ambulance, doctor and paramedical staff will be appointed for the convenience of miners.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, July 17^th, 2022.