Mines leasing to be made transparent, says Shahbaz

Approves reorganisation of Minerals Development Corporation

LAHORE

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif while chairing a meeting through a video link from London has granted approval to reorganisation of Punjab Minerals Development Corporation. 

Addressing the meeting, the CM said Punjab Mineral Development Corporation will have to be set on modern lines in a professional manner. He said restructuring of PUNJMIN will be made under a phased programme. He said capacity building of Punjab Mineral Development Corporation is need of the hour and leasing system of mines will have to be made transparent. He directed to work round the clock for making Punjab Mineral Development Corporation an active and vibrant institution. He said short-term measures should immediately be implemented and foolproof arrangements be made for the protection of mineworkers. He said that protection of mineworkers is essential therefore no compromise would be made on protective measures for mineworkers.

The CM directed a committee for reorganisation of PUNJMIN and added Punjab Minister Rana Sanaullah will be head of the committee. The committee will comprise Punjab Minister Sher Ali Khan, Chairman PUNJMIN Nauman Kabeer, Secretary Finance and Secretary Minerals. The committee will be fully empowered for taking steps regarding reorganisation of PUNJMIN, he added. He said the office of chairman will have to be empowered for performance and capacity-building of PUNJMIN. Shahbaz Sharif said that an effective mechanism of check and balance and accountability should be evolved. He directed constitution of a committee for reorganisation of Minerals Department and added that the committee should present final recommendations within one month, in the light of which, steps will be taken for making Minerals Department an active department.

The CM directed that priority should be given to experts of private sector in the board of PUNJMIN. He congratulated Chairman PUNJMIN Nauman Kabeer and hoped he will utilise all his capabilities for reorganising PUNJMIN. Chairman PUNJMIN said PUNJMIN will be made an active and vibrant institution according to the vision of the CM. Ministers Rana Sanaullah, Ch Sher Ali, Chairman Planning & Development, secretaries concerned and senior officials participated in the meeting through a video link from Civil Secretariat while authorities concerned attended the meeting through the video link from the chief minister’s office.

Budget: Shahbaz Sharif has said public welfare and progress of Punjab on solid foundations will be the priority of the government during next fiscal year and funds of billions of rupees will be spent on the uplift of the masses. 

He said like previous years, measures will also be taken during next financial year for betterment of deprived segments of society.

He said special funds will be allocated in the next budget for the development of backward areas while billions of rupees will be made available for the provision of quality education in schools. He said an era of progress and prosperity will usher in due to completion of development projects during next fiscal year. He stressed the government officers to perform their responsibilities with commitment and efficiency for ensuring that fruits of development projects should reach the common man.

He expressed these views while addressing a meeting at Civil Secretariat and Chief Minister’s Office through a video conference from London on Wednesday. The meeting reviewed in detail priorities of the new budget and important projects under Annual Development Programme. Shahbaz Sharif said that solid measures would be taken for the development of agriculture sector and welfare of cultivators while additional funds will be allocated for the uplift for education and health sectors. Shahbaz Sharif said that uplift of social sectors is the priority of the government and a solid strategy is being implemented in this regard. He said that resources are a trust of the masses and are being spent only on their welfare. The CM issued instructions for timely utilisation of development funds and said that it will not only ensure completion of projects within stipulated period but people will also benefit from the fruits of development project. He said capacity building of departments and institutions is essential for timely utilisation of funds. He said that district headquarter hospitals will be upgraded for providing quality health facilities to the patients. He said that a programme has also been evolved for setting up digital libraries in parks of each district while the programme of setting up labour colonies for workers will be furthered.

Shahbaz Sharif directed that provincial departments should ensure completion of development projects within timeframe. Ministers Rana Sanaullah, Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, chief secretary, Chairman Planning & Development and provincial secretaries attended the meeting from Civil Secretariat while Minister Malik Nadeem Kamran, Manshaullah Butt, MPA, Samiullah Khan and senior officers participated in the meeting from Chief Minister’s office through a video link.