Local firm deprived  of lease award

By Our Correspondent

 GILGIT: The department of mines and minerals, Gilghit-Baltistan, proved its anti-people policies once again by depriving a local marble company of a lease award in order to accommodate an outsider.
Al-Nasir Marble Society had been awarded lease but an assistant director of the department by using backdoor and illegal means tried to evict the firm and give the elase to an outsider, Mohmand Dada, for 30 years.
This unjustified move of the company drew strong protest from the members of Al-Nasir Company. Sources said Al-Nasir had been awarded the lease in 1997 for mineral exploration after which the company paid the fee for 17 years but in 2005 and awarded the lease of the project to Mohmand Dada. When Al-Nasir contacted the department, one of its assissatant directors acknowledged that Mohmand Dada had used tricks to get the licence. However, it is strange that despite this, the departmnet has failed to take action against Mohmand Dada.

By Our Correspondent

Gilgit: The United Nations Environment Agency and the ministry of
environment Gilgit-Baltistan have inked an agreement to collaborate in launching
of there environmental projects in the region.
The United Nations agency will grant Rs1.5 billion to fund the three projects of the ministry aimed at environmental protection.

The agency will also fund two projects in Skardu and one in Gilgit for a period of two years. The agency in collaboration of the provincial health ministry will set a green house for herbs in Naltar, Gigit, where the local population will be trained about the growth and medicinal and commercial use of herbs.
The projects in Skardu include construction of road to Bishku meadow and a track to attract tourists. While females will be given training of local dishes besides handy craft which the international agency will market abroad.