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KARACHI, July 30: The government is considering a proposal to privatize the spacious residential and office buildings built during the British era for the use of commissioners deputy commissioners.
A meeting of the Sindh cabinet, presided over by Governor Muhammedmian Soomro, discussed the proposal here on Tuesday but deferred a decision on it, sources in the government said.
Most of these buildings are historically-protected monuments and a number of citizens’ groups and organizations had earlier strongly opposed a similar proposal which, they believed, was being sponsored by some builders.
However, the sources said the exercise, if undertaken, would aim at generating funds for the cash-strapped administration.
Muhammedmian Soomro has called upon the ministers, secretaries of departments and other officials to maintain direct liaison with the people and pay attention to solving their problems, adds APP.
Presiding over the Sindh cabinet meeting, he directed that effective steps be taken and all possible means be used for this purpose.
Keeping in view the need for solution of public grievances, the cabinet decided to provide wireless sets to ministers and secretaries.
The cabinet decided to strictly follow the uniform policy regarding the provision of office and residential facilities to the Nazimeen, the DCOs and other officials.
Chief Secretary K.B. Rind said that all officials and departments had been directed to remain present or their representative should be there during the visit of ministers to various areas so that steps could be taken for immediate redress of public problems.
HAWKESBAY PLOTS: Sindh Governor Muhammedmian Soomro on Tuesday directed that the process of plots in the Hawkesbay Housing Scheme for allotment to members of the Karachi Press Club at agreed price be expedited.
He issued the directive while presiding over a meeting of the Sindh Cabinet in the New Sindh Secretariat.
He directed the Sindh Finance Department to release the first instalment of fund for development works within next 10 days.
It may be mentioned here that the price issue of plots in the Hawkesbay Housing Scheme had been pending for the last couple of years.
QUOTA FOR HANDICAPPED: The governor has issued orders for the recruitment on 2 per cent quota fixed in the education department for handicapped people and directed that enforcement of this quota in other departments should also be ensured.
He directed the education department that in keeping with the ratio of people recruited in the near past, the implementation of the 2 per cent quota for handicapped people should also be ensured.
In this regard, while lifting ban on recruitment, he directed that handicapped people be given their right in the education department.
The governor said that under the obtaining social and economic conditions, there was need for special steps for the improvement of the financial and social status of handicap persons. He called for coordinated efforts to make them a useful part of society. He said he hoped that the private sector, too, would play its role and take care of handicap people.
Mr Soomro said unemployment was a big challenge in the present day and the government was making efforts for providing job opportunities.
He said that besides accelerating the pace of development schemes and start of work on various mega projects, the investment environment was also being promoted.
He said this would help provide equal opportunities of employment and would help boost the efforts for improving the lot of the common man.
