KARACHI, Dec 12: Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad has ordered inquiry into the affairs of New Sabzi Mandi on the Super Highway, responding to the complaints of mismanagement and corruption made by the stake-holders.

He ordered the inquiry on the appeal sent by the Malir Fresh Fruit Merchants and Growers Association, in which governor’s help was sought after failure of Chief Minister Sardar Ali Muhammad Mahar to implement the provision of the Sindh Local Government Ordinance-2001, regarding transfer of the control of New Sabzi Mandi to the city government, so that its affairs could be streamlined.

The association has also appealed to President Pervez Musharraf and National Accountability Bureau chief, to draw their attention towards inordinate delay of over 42 months in implementation of the Ombudsman’s report and for providing relief to the stake-holders of the Sabzi Mandi.

In the appeal, the association pointed out that except the Karachi New Sabzi Mandi, all vegetable and fruit markets in the province were under the control of the respective local governments as required under the SLGO-2001.

Besides, as per recommendations of a sub-committee, the chief minister had decided in principle to transfer the control of Sabzi Mandi to the district government to remove the anomaly but the decision was put in abeyance.

The sub-committee was formed by the government following reports of maladministration, rampant corruption and increasing problems of allotees caused by slicing of plots from the open space, meant for maintenance of traffic flow and visitors’ convenience.

Besides encroachments with the connivance of the market committee officials, there were reports in the press regarding acute sanitation problem, unhygienic conditions, disconnection of water and power supply and water theft, which has turned the Asian Development Bank project into an eyesore for the stake-holders.

The documents attached with the appeal indicated that Karachi market committee had submitted a new layout plan of the Sabzi Mandi with the Gadap Town administration for approval.

In the plan, contrary to the Sindh Ombudsman decision, dated June 24, 2000, a large number of shops and auction sheds had been shown to perpetuate the unabated corruption of the unscrupulous elements.

In the Ombudsman decision, the number of shops shown in the layout plan, based on the survey report prepared by the Rangers and army, were 4,348, but in the plan submitted to the Gadap Town open places meant for parking, footpaths and open passages were shown as already allotted plots.

The woes of the stake-holders of the Sabzi Mandi were multiplied for want of power supply and tape water.

The association pointed out the flourishing “Kunda system,” while those who were provided legal power connection were suffering.

The potable water supply condition in the Mandi was more miserable. The water meant for consumers at the Mandi had been diverted to the nearby settlements, and whatever water was made available to the Mandi was supplied in odd hours.

The corruption and mismanagement of affairs could not be checked until the Mandi was transferred to the city government, as per SLGO- 2001 clause in vogue elsewhere, the appeal said.

The appeal further revealed that in the original layout plan, the number of shops and auction sheds was 1,764, which was later risen to 4,072 in 1996, in the revised plan, while in the plan submitted to the Ombudsman and in the Supreme Court, the total number of auction facilities at the Mandi was further increased to 4,348.

“The latest plan which has been submitted to the city government for approval is the 12th plan, in which more than 6,000 shops and sheds have been shown,” it said.

The association had also approached the city Nazim and Sindh chief secretary for implementing the CM Mahar’s decision to hand over the Sabzi Mandi to the city government.

This on one hand would provide relief to its stake-holders, while on the other, it would be instrumental in improving the financial health of the city government, the association said and observed that had the findings of the Ombudsman been acted upon, the affairs of the Sabzi mandi would have been streamlined long ago.