August 08, 2008	Friday	Sha’aban 5, 1429

MITHI, Aug 7: Sindh Coal Authority should be restored, Thar Coal and Energy Board should be brought under its control and representatives of people, Tharparkar district government and civil society should be made the board members, demanded a resolution passed by a seminar on Thursday.

The speakers said at the seminar on “Expectations and Fears about Thar Coal” that the notification issued by the federal government to abolish the Sindh Coal Authority was regrettable.In another resolution, the speakers demanded that adequate compensation be paid to Tharis for their fields, cattle pens, wells and houses, who would have to migrate from coal areas.

They demanded that mono-technical institute of Mithi be upgraded and Thari youths be imparted training in coal related fields under Shaheed Benazir Youth Welfare Programme and comprehensive planning be formulated to avert environmental degradation in Thar after coal exploration.

Pakistan People’s Party leader Wali Mohammad Rahimoon pointed out that the PPP leadership of local chapter had expressed concern at the federal government’s step to abolish Sindh Coal Authority and replace it with Thar Coal Authority.

People of Sindh and Thar had expressed serious concern at the composition of board, which had no member from Thar, Rahimoon said, adding that Tharis might not be able to react like Akbar Bugti but they would have to come forward to safeguard their genuine rights like Thari warrior Rooplo Kolhi.

Nandlal Malhi, convenor of Thar Coal Action Committee and deputy general secretary of Sindh Taraqqi Pasand Party, said that a lobby of federal bureaucrats and vested interests were putting up obstacles to the start of exploration of Thar coal reserves.

Sindh National Front leader Faqir Muqeem Kumbhar said that before extracting coal from Thar, the government spokespersons had been telling them that they should migrate from the coal areas despite the fact that the government had done nothing to compensate them.

Gyanchand, Maeen Bajir, Obhayo Junejo, Vishan Thari, Wasand advocate, Mithan Halepoto, Khatau Jani, Haji Allah Dino, taluka nazim Mithi Juman Shah, EDO Darya Khan Samejo, Dominic Stephen, Prof Noor Ahmed Janjhi among others spoke at the seminar, which was organised by the Marooara Coordination network of local NGOs in Islamkot.