A lethargic attitude of Sindh Government towards allocation of compensation to the people of Thar affected by Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company's (SECMC) mining project is further deepening a sense of deprivation among already destitute people. Informed sources said that Block-II of Thar which has been allotted to SECMC to dig out coal covers an area of some 5925 acres of land, out of which a reasonable part estimated to be Rs 540 million is the property of 1,200 to 1,500 claimants.
Some 86 percent of claimants are still deprived of their legitimate money as only 200 land owners have been paid off by the provincial government while others are running from pillar to post to get compensation, they said. "I have been paid only a meager amount by Sindh government despite providing 100 acres of land for the project," a resident of Senhri Durs village claimed. He said that government has only paid him an amount for 40 acres land remaining is still unpaid.

"Since our village is going to be affected by the mine project, the government has decided to relocate us within three years; we are ready to sacrifice our village for the sake of the country, however it should give us land compensation timely so that we will meet requirements of daily life," he added. The population of our village at present consists of 1000 people. "We will be leaving at 150-year-old Senhri Durs," he said.
"As long as we are not relocated, we want drinking water. The government should make arrangements in this regard. A tube-well system would be appreciated," he added. When contact, the Land Acquisition Manager (LAM), SECMS, Fayaz Somro, he said that SECMC as a quarrying agency has deposited some Rs 450 million in the government treasury; however only 170 million has been allocated to the affected land owners by the authorities of provincial government.
"SECMC deposited Rs 200 million in Sindh government's account on 22 December 2014, while 100 millions in this January, similarly Rs 150 million were deposited in August 2014. "I think, it will take just 15 to 20 days for the government because money is there, and records of rights are also very much verified. It is government's responsibility to give the amount of compensation to the people without any delay. We have conducted meetings with District Commissioner of the area on one point agenda," he said.
"It is an established fact the Thar ranks the lowest in the socio development index in Sindh; keeping this fact in view we are going to spend some 10 per cent of project cost, which includes relocation and land purchase, while 2 per cent (before tax) would be utilised under corporate social responsibility (CSR)," he said.
According to him, our plan is to set up six primary and three secondary schools in Tharparker; we will provide scholarship to deserving students every year in professional degrees in colleges/universities. We will set up maternal and child health facilities. Establishment of a nutrition project for young children and young mothers is also part of our plan. "Land price in Thaparker is not more than 85,000 per acre; however, SECMC is giving Rs 185,000 for each acre of land," Fayaz concluded.