January 26, 2003	Sunday	Ziqa’ad 22,1423

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FAISALABAD, Jan 25: Members of the union council No 156 demanded a high-level probe into misusing of Rs0.7 million grant provided by the Punjab government.

These allegations were levelled at the union council meeting held here on Saturday with Nazim Chaudhry Zulfiqar Ali in the chair.

The meeting adopted a resolution which condemned the highhandedness of the Planning, Finance and Budget sections of the district government. It claimed that officials of these departments were playing in the hands of an influential politician and allocated a huge sum for the development of his private land.

The resolution said the UC of Chak 66-JB lacked basic amenities owing to meagre financial resources and non-provision of appropriate funds for the uplift of the area.

The Punjab government had provided the special grant and made it mandatory for UC members to use it judiciously for the development of their respective areas. However, the Tehsil Nazim (Saddar) in connivance with the Finance and Planning wings allocated funds for the construction of a street leading to the outhouse of the influential politician.

The government claimed that only union councils would propose and monitor uplift schemes in their respective areas, but the funds were being misused and allocated by government officials according to their discretions, the resolution said.

They alleged that suggestions of UC members were not being entertained properly due to the reasons best known to the DCO and Zila Nazim which was another violation of rules and regulations.

RALLY: A rally was taken out on Saturday from the local Bishop house against the possible US attack on Iraq.

The protesters were carrying banners and placards inscribed with slogans for peace in the world and against the US designs to attack Iraq. After marching through different city roads, the rally terminated at Clock Tower Intersection where speakers criticized the US and its allies on the Iraq issue.

Bishop Joseph Coutts and other leaders of local trade bodies and NGOs said the US administration and its allies wanted to destroy Iraq in lust of power which could be dangerous for the world peace.