The government wants the Thar Coal and Energy Board (TCEB) to accelerate the pace of work for power generation, which is essential for the progress and prosperity of the country, particularly Sindh, Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah said on Saturday. The provincial chief executive was presiding over the 12th meeting of the TCEB at the Chief Minister’s House. “President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani have stressed paying full attention towards this important project that will also generate a large number of job opportunities,” he added. The meeting was attended by Federal Finance Minister Abdul Hafeez Shaikh, Federal Water and Power Minister Naveed Qamar, Provincial Revenue Minister Jam Mehtab Dahar, Provincial Irrigation Minister Jam Saifullah Dharejo, Provincial Finance Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and Adviser to Sindh Chief Minister on Investment Muhammad Zubair Motiwala.
At the meeting, a presentation by Motiwala, the convener of the Evaluation Committee on the International Competitive Bidding for Thar Coal blocks – constituted in the board’s last meeting – explained the evaluation process and highlighted the proposals of the companies, based on financial strength, mining capabilities and project timelines. On the basis of recommendations by the evaluation committee, the board allocated the blocks offered for bidding to various local and international companies. An update was also given on the infrastructure development projects including the water supply scheme at Makhi-Farash, transmission network, railway link, effluent disposal, etc.
The federal finance minister assured that as these projects are essential infrastructure projects required for development of Thar, the federal government will provide all possible assistance and funding.
A presentation was also given by Ernst & Young – the international consultant engaged by the TCEB – on the proposed royalty model for large-scale coal mining. Appreciating the work done by the consultant, the TCEB meeting participants observed that as the project has long term financial impact for Sindh, more due diligence is required by technical experts. Accordingly, a technical committee was constituted comprising an international expert, TCEB managing director and representatives from Federal Finance Division, Water and Power Ministry and Sindh Finance Department.