LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif Monday gave approval to institutional reforms in Minerals Department and directed to set up a steering committee for presenting recommendations for reorganization, capacity-building and reforms in the department.
The Chief Minister presided over a meeting here, which decided to modernize Minerals Department.
Addressing the meeting, Shahbaz Sharif said the Minerals Department could play important role in strengthening economy of the province. He directed that planning should be made to run the department professionally on corporate model.
He directed that resource mapping of the mineral reserves in Punjab be conducted in accordance with international standard.
He directed that work should be carried out on war-footing for institutional reforms and capacity-building of the department.
Shahbaz Sharif said the Minerals Department would have to give up the obsolete system and work in an active manner.
He directed that a scientific system of leasing of mines should be adopted.
He said a comprehensive mechanism should be evolved for monitoring of licensing system of mines and improvement should be made in rules and regulations regarding leasing of mines.
The Chief Minister said there was a vast scope of local and foreign investment in minerals sector in Punjab and it was the basic responsibility of the department to provide maximum facilities to the investors.
He said safety measures for the workers associated with mining sector were of vital importance.
Shahbaz Sharif directed that the training of experts recruited in mining sector should be arranged abroad. He said the model of Punjab Mineral Company be replicated in other institutions of the department.
He said that he would personally monitor the measures taken for the improvement of Minerals Department and review progress in this regard on monthly basis.
The Chief Minister expressed his displeasure to Secretary Minerals for non-implementation of some decisions and said that serious efforts had not been made for human resource development and capacity-building of the department. He also ordered immediate establishment of Coal Pricing Board.
Provincial Minister for Minerals Ch. Sher Ali, Chairman Planning & Development, Additional Chief Secretary Energy, Secretary Minerals, Secretary Finance and concerned authorities attended the meeting.
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