MNA Mahesh Malani and MPA Sher Muhammad Bilalani distributed cheques among the eligible household owners
By GR Junejo
Islamkot, Tharparkar: Sindh government on Sunday launched Annual Grant Scheme for the households residing within one-kilometer vicinity of Gorano Reservoir by distributing cheques to the 507 eligible household owners.
As per scheme approved by the Sindh Cabinet each family living within the one-kilometer vicinity of Gorano Reservoir will be eligible to receive an annual grant of Rs.100,000/= for lifetime i.e. 30 years.
On the directions of Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah and processed by Minister for Energy Imtiaz Ahmad Shaikh, member of the national assembly from Tharparkar Dr. Mahesh Malani, and member Sindh Assembly Faqeer Sher Muhammad Bilalani distributed cheques among the eligible household owners. The scheme was part of the Thar Coal Project under which locals belonging to the immediate vicinity of the project area will receive lifetime grants to get direct benefit from the project.
The 172 households of New Senhri Dars village of Thar Coal Block II are already receiving annual grant of Rs.100,000/= since last two years.
The ceremony was witnessed by Deputy Commissioner Tharparkar, Muhammad Nawaz Soho, Manager CSR Thar Foundation Mohsin Babbar, and Assistant Commissioner Islamkot, Samiullah Sanjrani and participated by local Gorano elders Ahmad Shah, Hamid Dohar, Bheem Raj, Leela Ram, Bhooral Shah, Lakho Bheel, local Pakistan People Party leaders Susheel Malani, Siraj Soomro, and others.
Addressing the ceremony, MNA Dr. Mahesh Malani said that to give benefit to locals living around the Gorano reservoir, the Sindh Cabinet approved an annual grant scheme of Rs.100,000/= each to the eligible households for 30 years.
He said the Government of Sindh will take more such decisions so that locals may reap the fruits of the Thar Coal development of the area. “Under the umbrella of Engro and Thar Foundation, Sindh government is already providing basic necessities like clean drinking water, health clinics, and educational facilities to the people of the area,” he added.
Manager CSR Thar Foundation, Mohsin Babbar said the local Tharis should be the prime beneficiaries of the developments taking place in the area, which we consider their legitimate right.
He thanked the Sindh government for introducing a historic and unprecedented policy decision to provide grants to the eligible households of the area, which is never seen before in the development history of Pakistan.
The local elders of the area Bheem Raj, Hamid Dohar, and Lakho Bheel also received annual grant cheques from the chief guests and said it’s their right to receive all facilities including the annual grants.
_______________
