Sindh Information Minister Ms Shazia Marri has dispelled the impressions that Sindh will lose its rights after induction of federal representative in Thar Coal Energy Board (TCEB).
The representation of federal organisations is essential to ensure smooth functioning of the board as well as effective utilisation of the huge coal reserves for power generation, the minister stated while talking to the media men here at District Rest House on Sunday.
Sindh Ministers Syed Murad Ali Shah, Jam Mehtab Dahar, Jam Saifullah Dharejo and Syed Asad Ali Shah, the members of Sindh Coal Energy Board and Advisor to Sindh Chief Minister Dr Khatoo Mal Jeevan were also present on the occasion.
Ms Shazia Marri said it was the government of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto which initiated Thar Coal Project in 1993, however after that the project went into cold storage, resulting an energy crisis, which is being faced by the peoples at present. In order to overcome the current power crisis, the present government has reinitiated this project by establishing Thar Coal Energy Board with Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah as its Chairman, the minister said.
The main objective of reinitiating the project, she added, is to complete Thar Coal Project on a war-footing basis in order to overcome the energy crisis.
In his recent visit to USA along with Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani, the minister said that Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah held talks with some reputed power generation companies and after his return, the work on the project will be started with immediate effect.
Responding to a question about notification from the federal government regarding induction of the federal representatives, Sindh Minister Ms Shazia Marri said though the provincial government has some reservations on this notification, however, the stance of Sindh government is very much clear on Thar Coal Project.
Prime Minister Syed Yousuf Raza Gilani has already maintained that huge reserves of coal are the property of Sindh, therefore the provincial government has no two opinions on this issue, the minister said. Sindh Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah while replying to a question said the Sindh Coal Authority remains in existence as according to constitution, it cannot be abolished, however, Thar Coal Authority does not exist after formation of the Board. The coal reserves of the province could not be utilised in an effective manner without the support of the federal government, he said and added the establishment of Thar Coal Project could also not be possible without Wapda and Nepra.
With the establishment of Thar Coal Power General Units, around 0.1 million megawatts of electricity could be generated against the country's needs of 25 to 30 thousands megawatts, the minister said and added that surplus electricity could be exported to neighbouring country, which could generate extra funds for the country and the province.
Sindh Information Minister Shazia Marri said the completion of project will not only brings the country out from energy crisis, but it will also provide job opportunities with economic development in the social sector.
Member Sindh Coal Energy Board, Asad Shah while responding to a question said that negotiations with reputed companies in USA are encouraging, however, the government desired to award the contract to financially sound investors as the project will cost around Rs 13 billion or more.
Six companies of the country including JS Group, Engro Group and Lucky Group have also shown their interest in the project, he said and maintained that no Indian company is negotiating with the government for the purpose. At present, the law does not permit for investment by any Indian company in Pakistan, he said.
To a question, he said representatives from federal organisations have been taken in the Board for larger benefit of the province as without support of Wapda, the required canal could not be dug out, which is essential for coal power project.