Provincial Minister for Mines and Minerals, Dr Tanvir-ul-Islam has said that all out measures will be taken for the development of mineral sector and benefiting from natural resources. While addressing a briefing meeting after assuming the charge of the new department, he said there is a need for setting up this sector on modern lines.
Secretary Mines and Minerals Shahid Mehmood, Additional Secretary Rao Ghulam Hussain, Chief Inspector Mines Tahzeeb-ul-Hassan Ansari and other senior officers were also present. The minister was given a detailed briefing regarding development of the department, Punjab Mines and Minerals Development Corporation, Chief Inspector of Mines, performance of various sections as well as development projects.
The meeting was briefed the Mines and Minerals Department deposits Rs 1500 million annually in the national exchequer while millions of rupees are also spent on the welfare and provision of medical, education and housing facilities to thousands of workers associated with mining sector.
It was further revealed that hospitals, medical centres as well as schools are also functioning in the concerned districts for the benefit of the workers and their families, talented children of workers are also given scholarships. The Mines and Minerals Department has been separated from the industries department in 2003 and set up as an independent department. However, there is extreme shortage of watchmen, sweepers, gardeners and drivers in the department while a post of Director General Mines and Minerals is also lying vacant. It was also told the meeting that department has almost no transport while there is also need to replace school buses for children.
Dr Tanvir directed the officials concerned that pace of work on development projects should be accelerated to increase the income of the department. He also stressed the need for ensuring transparency in the process of awarding contracts.
The minister ensured that he would personally recommend the Chief Minister for filling the vacancies in the department and provision of school buses for the children of the workers as well as transport for the department. Special attention will be paid to the welfare of the workers associated with mining sector. He said that mining sector has been neglected in the past while development of this sector can bring about an economic and industrial revolution in the province. The uplift of this sector would help eliminate unemployment and generation of a large number of job opportunities.