UMERKOT It was a welcome surprise that the World Bank, before embarking upon the developmental activities in Thar Coal Field, sent its mission in the area for reviewing the socio-economic issues of the community and its impact on the environment.

A three-member IBRD team visited the coal field for taking into consideration the news and views of the community and civil society activists before preparing a policy framework.

The team members included Ms Ekaterina N. Mikhaylova, Senior Project Officer Oil, Gas, Mining and Chemicals Department; Mr Robert Murphy, Consultant Oil, Gas, Mining and Mining Policy Division; Consultant Kazim Saeed, Shariq Raza Mines and Mineral Department, Government of Sindh, and officials of the Sindh Coal Authority.

Ms Ekaterina N. Mikhaylova briefed the community representatives and civil society activists about the involvement of the Bank in Thar Coal project and assured that the policy would only be framed after deliberating on all aspects. The policy would complete in a year's time, she said.

However, the community representatives and civil society activists gave impressive input and feedback on socio-economic and political issues of the area and their concerns and expectations about the project. Though, they realise the energy crisis but sought guarantee to the rights of the local population. They questioned as to at what cost this development would take place?

Community representatives reiterated their demand of giving the ownership rights solely to provincial government and not to federal government as it has nothing to do with the project. They also sought the involvement of elected representatives in decision making, especially those of the field area.

They objected to giving weight to technical, tariff and exploration issues while keeping on back burners, welfare of the area people in Thar Coal project. They reminded that the Sindh had a bitter experience of the IFIs engagement in projects in different sectors which had made the community more apprehensive in trusting the investors.

They also sought proper relocation of displaced people, protection to national and cultural heritage and religious sites and employment guarantee to locals over outsiders, compensation as per current rates of land and belongings, maximum forethought in regard to the landscape, its impact on water and other farm products.