MITHI, July 26: Marooara, a network of more than 60 social welfare organisations of Tharparkar, has urged the government to make Thar Coal Board subordinate to Sindh Coal Authority and give it legal grounds through a bill passed by the Sindh Assembly.

Representatives from Thar including MNAs and MPAs and civil society representatives should be elected to the board, the MArooara leaders said. Marooara Chairman Obhayo Junejo, coordinator Thar Coal Action Forum, Dost Mohammad Halepoto and other office-bearers said at a press conference on Friday that Thar coal, one of the biggest coal reserves in the world, was the property of Sindh and with the establishment of coal-based power plants in Thar, the country could get rid of power crisis besides lessening the impact of drought and poverty and be able to provide jobs to local people.

They demanded that the government take an appropriate and timely decision regarding exploration of Thar coal, expedite pace of work, provide jobs to locals and royalty of Thar coal to be spent on the development of Tharparkar district.

They demanded that Thari educated youths should be imparted technical training in coal related fields besides other crafts to ensure availability of skilled local men in coal projects, suitable planning be made for the resettlement of the Tharis who were likely to be displaced from coal belts and befitting measures be taken to avert environmental degradation in the wake of establishment of coal-based power plants.