Pervaiz Elahi lauds Minerals Dept performance

LAHORE: Provincial Minister for Minerals Hafiz Ammar Yasir called on Speaker Punjab Assembly Ch Pervaiz Elahi and presented his department’s performance here on Thursday.

According to the report, 25 new coal sites have been discovered in Punjab while an auction of more new sites will be held shortly. Ch Pervaiz Elahi said that performance of the Minerals Department in utilisation of natural resources is appreciable. It is essential to bring treasures hidden in earth into use for national progress through better strategy and measures.

Ch Pervaiz Elahi directed that lives and rights of the workers in the Minerals Department be ensured. Provincial Minerals Minister informed him that for the first time the Minerals Department has deposited Rs 10 billion of its income into the provincial exchequer. The department abolished ban on cement plants, awarded 21 new licenses for limestone to the private companies whereas ban on new lease of coal has also be abolished. He said that educational stipends for mine workers’ children have been increased by 300 percent and a mobile health unit has also been established in Chakwal for the mines workers.