Online monitoring of mining activities ordered

Punjab Caretaker Minister for Mines and Minerals Ibrahim Hasan Murad has stressed the need for conducting all monitoring activities in the department online to enhance staff supervision.

During a meeting at the Punjab Chief Inspectorate of Mines (CIM) on Monday, he attempted to contact the Khushab Rescue Station but received no response, prompting immediate action. Expressing concerns about the inspectorate's performance, he ordered improvements in emergency response time and monitoring of mining.

Murad highlighted the shortage of field inspection staff and emphasised the urgency of hiring in the necessary areas. He declared mandatory the uploading of images and video evidence from mining inspections in operational zones to an online portal.

He called for increased fine collection and swift prosecution when necessary. Plans were mentioned to introduce a challan system and e-inspection to modernise the procedures.

The caretaker minister issued directives for the supervision of mining sites and the submission of weekly reports. Minerals Secretary Babar Aman Babar and officials of the inspectorate were present at the meeting.

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