December 03, 2008	Wednesday	Zilhaj 4, 1429

HYDERABAD, Dec 2: A 10 per cent rise in the rent of land in possession of the OGDCL for oil and gas exploration has been proposed by the DCO Hyderabad Ali Ahmed Loond.

Presently, the company was paying Rs35,000 per acre annually which he proposed to be hiked by 10 per cent after every three years.

The recommendation was made at a meeting of the Oil and Gas Field Owners Association Hyderabad where a charter of demands of the association was discussed in detail.

Regional Coordinator of the OGDCL Ashraf Ali Pathan, EDO Revenue Hyderabad Barkaat Rizvi, Chairman Land Owners Association Ghulam Mohammad Talpur, President Seth Badar Ahmed Memon and other stakeholders attended the meeting.

Leaders of the association argued that the land was acquired for oil and gas exploration in 2000 with no increase in rent effectuated since then. However, they contended that prices of goods and services had increased manifold during the last eight years. The meeting also recommended fixation of Rs200,000 per acre for land rehabilitation once it was given back to owners.

Leaders also asked the OGDCL to follow rules and regulations by giving employment to local population, zamindars, and trained people. They also demanded job regularisation of temporary employees.

They disclosed that the fumes of chemicals used in exploration had given rise to various diseases for which a 50-bedded hospital and a dispensary should be established at the earliest.

EYE CAMP: The United Memon Jamat Hala in collaboration with the Society for the Preservation and Cure of Blindness Karachi will hold a five-day free eye camp at Muslim Anjuman Primary School Hala from Dec 13 to 17.

Eye patients would be admitted to the camp on December 14, 15 and 16 with free boarding, lodging and medical treatment.