KARACHI: Cell set up to monitor rain relief operations
KARACHI, July 21: Sindh governor Dr Ishrat-ul-Ibad has ordered for the establishment of a special cell at the Governor House to monitor various civic agencies providing relief to people during monsoon.
He was presiding over a high level meeting on Monday, in which the emergencies caused by monsoons rains in Sindh, the damages and the requirements came under discussion.
The meeting was attended by the chief secretary, Dr Mutawakkal Kazi; principal secretary, Brig (Retd) Akhtar Zamin; IG Sindh, Syed Kamal Shah; and DCO Karachi besides senior officials of water and sanitation board, KBCA and KESC.
The chief secretary and other concerned officials apprised the governor about the losses caused by the rains and the steps taken to provide relief to people.
Mr Ibad directed the district Nazims and other responsible officials of local governments to maintain mutual coordination and round the clock alertness. He also issued orders for cleaning of all major storm water drains within 25 days. The meeting decided that the DCO would immediately start this work with the cooperation of chief controller of buildings, Brig A S Nasir.
The governor called for draining out water from areas, where it was still accumulated and said this work should start from today (Monday) and should continue round the clock.
In order to provide relief in affected areas, the governor directed the provincial finance department to immediately release funds to the Relief Commissioner in this regard.
Dr Ibad directed that a survey should be carried out of those spots, where rain water had got accumulated and that improved arrangements should be made for rectifying the level of these spots and draining of water. He said that efforts should be made to restrict water from accumulate under flyovers.
He pointed out that monsoon season was continuing and there were chances of more rains in the coming days. Therefore, all the departments should have a continuous focus while keeping their weaknesses in view, he added.
The meeting was informed that inquiries had been initiated with regard to Jahangir and other affected roads and as a result thereof, action would be taken against the government and non- government officials, who had been found responsible.
It was stated that repair of these roads by concerned contractors had been started.
The meeting was informed that following the instructions of the governor, security and safety measures at coastal areas had been improved and rescue and mobile warning teams were working there. For this, the cooperation of Navy and Maritime Agency was also being sought.
The meeting was informed that timings for supply of water to areas, fed from Hub dam, would be increased within 48 hours.
In case of any emergency, the citizens were informed that they should contact Police Madadgar at 15, KESC’s at 118 and City Government at 134.
Meanwhile, in another meeting held at the Governor House, the obtaining law and order situation was reviewed on Monday.
The meeting, chaired by the governor, was attended by advisor for home affairs, Aftab Shaikh; chief secretary, Dr Mutawakkal Kazi; IG Police, Syed Kamal Shah; AG Sindh, Anwar Maqsood Khan; home secretary, Anwar Hyder; CCOP; principal secretary, Brig Akhtar Zamin; secretary law, Ghulam Nabi Shah; and Additional Advocate General, Kazi Khalid Ali and other officials.
In order to restore the confidence of people and to heighten their spirits against criminal elements, the governor said it was necessary that criminals must get due punishment as per law and a true concept of “award and punishment” should be established in the society.—APP
