MITHI: The Sindh government has approved the “Gorano Compensation Plan” under which Rs100,000 will be disbursed annually to each family affected by the mine water reservoir in Gorano village.

The families who lost their lands and livelihood, on account of construction of the reservoir, within one-kilometre radius of the reservoir will be eligible for the compensation.

The compensation amo­unt will be paid through the Thar Foundation to the 506 families listed as eligible. The list is to be notified by the Tharparkar deputy commissioner office within the next few days.

According to the lawmakers from Tharparkar, a decision to this effect was taken during a meeting held under the chairmanship of Sindh Minister for Energy Imtiaz Ahmed Sheikh.

Those who attended the meeting included MNA Dr Mahesh Malani, MPA Fakeer Sher Mohammad Bilalani, energy department secretary Syed Tariq Shah, Sindh Coal Authority director general Aijaz Shah, Tharparkar Deputy Commissioner Mohammad Nawaz Soho, Sindh Engro Coal Mining Company (SECMC) and Thar Foundation chief executive officer (CEO) Syed Abul Fazal Rizvi and the foundation’s general manager Naseer Memon.

Imtiaz Sheikh said the disbursement of the compensation was another “promise fulfilled” by the Sindh government.

Draft plan, list of eligible households prepared

“A sum of Rs77 million for the compensation plan has already been released to the Thar Foundation for early disbursement after fulfilling official formalities,” he added.

Mr Sheikh said the Sindh government was fully committed to provide all basic amenities to the people of Thar.

He held out the assurance that the people being affected by the mining and coal extraction activity would suitably be compensated.

Earlier, the compensation plan, a copy of which is available with Dawn, was presented by the SECMC chief executive officer.

He informed the meeting that the Thar Foundation had conducted a detailed field survey of the settlements that were present around the Gorano reservoir.

“The lists were duly verified by the community elders, local revenue officials and all other stakeholders,” he added.

Under a welfare plan for the affected people, he said, the foundation had already installed five reverse osmosis (RO) plants, established two primary schools and one mother and child health clinic and a picnic area. Besides, livelihood opportunities were being created for them.

“The compensation dec­ided by the government of Sindh will be disbursed as soon as the list of the beneficiaries is notified by the competent authority,” he said.

Published in Dawn, December 12th, 2020