Thar Coal Block-2: Royalty to be spent on solar systems for Thar residents: minister

KARACHI: Sindh Energy Minister Imtiaz Ahmed Shaikh Wednesday said the royalty from Thar Coal Block-2 would be spent on installing solar systems on the houses of Thar residents.

Presiding over the 15th Thar Foundation Board meeting, he said the provincial government was making all-out efforts for the uplift of the Thar and its residents.

The meeting also discussed in detail the provision of public facilities established under Thar Foundation.

It was informed that 28 schools had been established under the TCF and of them 23 schools were fully functional.

Expansion of Thar Coal Block-II Mine approved

The meeting was informed that several programmes had also been organized to provide training to school teachers. Moreover, sports facilities, especially cricket, were also provided to the Thar people.

It was further informed that hotel management courses, tourism training programmes, women’s vocational training and IT training were also being provided for the skill development in the area.

The meeting was informed that the process of establishing a hospital for mental health was also going on. It was told that financial support had also been provided for the relocation of the residents from the Thar coal plant site.

The energy minister said that on the direction of Pakistan People’s Party Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari and Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah, the royalties obtained from Thar Coal Block 2 would be spent on installing solar systems at the homes of the residents of Thar so that the people in the area could be assured of uninterrupted power supply including water supply.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023