The Punjab government has allocated Rs 1 billion for construction of roads in the stone crushing area of Sargodha whereas a mines labour colony at 38-kanal land with state-of-the-art facilities is also being established.
This revelation was made by Punjab Minster for Mines and Minerals Chaudhry Sher Ali Khan while presiding over a meeting on Monday to review the progress on development schemes for mines’ labourers.
He said the Sargodha district enjoyed the status of the biggest stone-crushing industry in Asia, adding that the Punjab government was utilising all its sources and a huge chunk of revenue collected from this crushing area for the welfare and rehabilitation of mines’ workers and their families.
He said that a mines rescue and safety station with a total cost of Rs 80 million was also under construction in Chakwal to ensure and update safety measures for mines workers’ taken by the department.
Sher Ali also directed the officers concerned to complete the development projects for welfare of mines workers within the stipulated time.
He said that 300 megawatts coal-fired power plant in Dadan Khan village and adjacent coal mining project in Chawan Saidan Shah area would not only help control existing energy crisis but also create new jobs opportunities for local youth.
The meeting was informed that a 10-bedded Mines Labour Welfare Hospital at a cost of Rs 90 million had been established at crushing areas near Sargodha to provide free and latest round the clock health facilities to the workers and their families. The hospital is equipped with ambulance, X-ray, operation theatre, ECG and clinical laboratory facilities. The meeting was told that more than 5,500 workers and their families would be facilitated by this hospital.
In addition, a Mines Welfare Girls High School has been established at 52-kanal land at a cost of Rs 140 million where 83 students were enrolled and were being provided education, books and uniform free of cost.
The meeting also discussed matters related to welfare of mines workers, measures to prevent accidents in mines, educational scholarships, EOBI, pensions, training workshops & courses and enhance Mineral sources.
Chief Inspector of Mines Engineer Siddique Chaudhry, Mines Welfare Director Riaz Ahmad Ch, Mines Environment Director Afzaal Ahmad Butt, Resource Mapping Director Allah Yaar, Senior Research Officer Mian Zahid Mahmood and other officers concerned attended the meeting.
