Thar communities demand fair share of coal royalties

MITHI: The representatives of communities affected by the Thar Coal project, activists of civil society organisations, lawyers, journalists and youth groups on Wednesday adopted a 12-point resolution calling for a comprehensive legal framework to govern the distribution and utilisation of coal royalties, describing the issue of Thar Coal Royalty as central to the region’s future development.

The resolution was adopted at a consultative meeting held at the Islamkot Press Club, where participants urged the provincial government to recognise the legal and moral claims of Tharparkar’s residents over royalties generated from coal extracted from the desert.

The participants demanded the establishment of a Thar Coal Royalty Fund, proposing that at least 50 per cent of royalty revenues be earmarked for the development of Tharparkar. They also called for annual white papers detailing royalty collections and expenditures, independent financial audits, and legislation to ensure transparent management of the fund.

According to the resolution, the proposed fund should be administered by a representative board comprising members from affected villages, women, youths, civil society, locally elected representatives and technical experts.

The resolution further proposed that royalty revenues be invested in healthcare, education, clean drinking water, environmental restoration, afforestation, pollution control, vocational training, employment opportunities for local residents, scholarships, technical institutes, university campuses and youth skills development.

Participants also sought fair compensation, rehabilitation and alternative livelihood opportunities for families displaced by mining activities or affected by devastating environmental impacts. They recommended annual public hearings on the utilisation of the royalty fund, the enactment of a Thar Coal Royalty Management Act, and the establishment of a Future Generation Fund to finance long-term investments in education, healthcare, water security and climate resilience.

The meeting emphasised that the principle of “Thar’s coal, Thar’s right” should guide future policy, urging authorities to ensure transparency, accountability, public oversight and greater participation of affected communities in decisions concerning royalty utilisation.

The resolution recommended that copies be forwarded to the Chief Minister of Sindh, the Speaker of the Sindh Assembly, the provincial departments of Mines and Energy and Finance, elected representatives of Tharparkar, the district administration, mining companies and relevant federal institutions for consideration.

During the meeting, speakers including Ubhayo Junejo, Aijaz Bajeer, Sajan Charo, Nashad Rahim Ali, Advocate Qurban Samejo, GM Bajeer, Ms Uzma Abring, Abdul Ghani Bajeer, Nehal Mehranpoto, Hassan Rizvi, Azad Asad Hingorjo, Naseer Noon, Aijaz Baloch, Soomar Khaskheli and others expressed their deep concern over the environmental and social impacts of coal mining, including land acquisition, loss of grazing areas, groundwater contamination and limited employment opportunities for local residents. They maintained that a substantial amount of royalty revenue had accumulated over the years and urged both the federal and Sindh governments to ensure that these funds are utilised for the sustainable development and welfare of the people of Tharparkar.

Participants warned that if their demands for a transparent and equitable royalty mechanism remained unaddressed, they would consider launching a coordinated protest campaign.