Coal royalty use questioned

Minister says Rs6.5b generated from just one block of Thar ‘gold mines’

KARACHI:

The coal royalty collected from electricity generation came under scrutiny in the Sindh Assembly as an opposition MPA raised questions about its proper utilisation and its impact on the well-being of the local population.

Abdul Razzaque Rahimoon, an MPA of the Grand Democratic Alliance (MGDA) from the Chachro area of Tharparkar, moved a call attention notice and expressed doubts regarding the allocation of royalty funds.

"Thar coal is often referred to as 'black gold' and a game-changer for the entire country. However, I am curious to know how much of the royalty collected from the 2,600MW produced from Thar coal is actually benefiting the local people," Rahimoon said during the assembly session presided over by Speaker Agha Siraj Durrani on Friday.

He also raised concerns over the Thar Foundation, emphasising that tangible results have yet to materialise. He further asked for information on the per-ton royalty rate and the annual amount allocated to the area.

Although the provincial energy minister was absent from the session, Information Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, in response, highlighted that it was the PPP government that had successfully generated 2,640MW of electricity from coal, contributing power to the national grid.

Referring to Thar coal as "gold mines," Memon mentioned that Rs6.5 billion had been generated as royalty from one block alone, which would be spent on the well-being of the people in Tharparkar. He clarified that Engro, in collaboration with the Sindh government through a public-private partnership, is responsible for disbursing and utilising this amount for the local community.

Memon also highlighted job opportunities provided in Islamkot and the surrounding areas, where coal mines are located, along with free electricity for residents. He dispelled the notion that local people are deprived of employment, pointing out the presence of women dumper drivers and other technical staff from the area working in the coal field.

In a separate matter, Mangla Sharma of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement (MQM) raised concerns about earthquake-proof buildings in Karachi. Sharma asked the local government minister to name five such buildings in Karachi, given that the city is situated on three dangerous fault-lines.

Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Shah, responded by listing five recently constructed earthquake-proof buildings in the DHA and Clifton, stating that high-rises are now approved with proper planning to withstand earthquakes and other disasters, following the new policy.

MQM's Rabia Khatoon submitted a call attention notice regarding the facilitation of solar systems for the people of Karachi.

In response, Information Minister Memon mentioned that the Sindh government has already solarised 10 public hospitals in Karachi.

During the session, the speaker addressed the issue of missing PTI lawmakers who have been absent since the May 9 incident. He sought suggestions from the PPP ministers to write to the IGP Sindh, urging them to locate and bring back the PTI MPAs to the assembly. The speaker highlighted the irony of discussing missing persons while witnessing empty benches of PTI MPAs. Memon and Mukesh Kumar Chawla supported the speaker's proposal.

The session was adjourned until Saturday, when the provincial budget would be passed.

Published in The Express Tribune, June 10^th, 2023.