June 29, 2002	Saturday	Rabi-us-Sani 17, 1423

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GUJRAT, June 28: Two SDOs and as many overseers of the highways department, who had raised objections over the use of unapproved and substandard material in three road projects, had been transferred during the last 50 days, a source said on Friday.

He said SDO Ejaz Gill was transferred for pointing out corruption and Kharian SDO Iqbal Sukhera was given the additional charge of the post. Later, Mr Sukhera was ordered to relinquish the additional charge which was given to Sarai Alamgir SDO, he said.

Similarly, two overseers were transferred, he said. However, the motive behind the transfer of district officer (roads) could not be known, he added.

EDO’S VERSION: When contacted EDO (highways) Chaudhry Shafi said the projects had been given to the construction company on merit. He denied any anomaly by his department and the construction company.

He said he was satisfied with the material which was being used by the construction company.

When asked about the transfer of the officials, he said it was a routine matter.

COUNCILLOR’S PLEA: Six councillors, including three women, have urged the district Nazim to take note of the use of substandard material in the development schemes in union council No 57.

In a joint statement issued here, councillors Hanif Haidery, Ihsan Butt, Shan Bhatti, Zakia Rizvi, Mahmooda Mughal and Dr Shazia, alleged that the contractors were being patronized by UC Nazim Mehr Salim.

They claimed that a contractor, Riasat Ali, a close associate of the Nazim, had received full payment of Rs200,000 from the tehsil municipal though the scheme, construction of Ziaul Islam street, is still to be completed.

They claimed that municipal SDO Mehr Ashraf did not take any action against the contractors involved in anomalies.

They urged the district Nazim and the DCO to order an impartial inquiry into the matter.