LAHORE, March 8: The ban on recruitment is being lifted in the Punjab Mineral Development Corporation. This was stated by Mines Minister Sibtain Khan while presiding over a meeting of the board of directors of PUNJMIN here on Monday.

He said assistant mines engineers, geologists and assistant geologist would be recruited on contract. A selection committee headed by the PUNJMIN managing director had been setup for the purpose. he added.

The minister directed the authorities concerned to ensure that all recruitment should be made on merit. The meeting approved increase in the cash handling and washing allowances for employees and residential telephone facility up to 400 calls per month for deputy general mangers and project managers.

It also decided that medical bills would be reverified to discourage the wrong practice. The meeting also analyzed the projects of exploration and evaluation of iron ore deposit in Rajoa area near Chiniot, salt deposit in Marmandi, Mianwali, and Mian Mitha, Khushab.