HYDERABAD, Jan 31: District council convener Nawab Rashid Ali Khan on Saturday appointed two committees to inquire into allotment of amenity plots by the HDA and non-payment of dues to employees by the Zeal Pak Cement Factory.

The committee that would look into the non-payment of dues to the cement factory employees comprised Dr Saifur Rehman, Rana Mehmood Ali Khan and Miran Mohammad Shah.

It was appointed after the council passed a resolution of Rana Mehmood in this regard.

Mr Mehmood said the withholding of the dues was illegal and demanded that the DCO and the district Nazim should take action in the matter.

He also called for the arrest of officials of the factory.

The second committee pertaining to the allotment of the plots comprised Yusuf Qureshi, Rana Mehmood Ali, Khushnud Ali, Majeed Wahidi, Ali Mohammad Shah and Babu Ilyas.

Yousuf Qureshi had raised the issue on Thursday, prompting the convener to call comments from the HDA DG.

The HDA secretary in his statement before the council said a land of the civic centre on the Thandi Sarak was allotted for Rs1,100 a month to Brig (rtd) Ghulam Rasool Memon by then HDA DG Mishraz Siddiqui for establishment of a nursery. He said the period would expire on June 30, 2005.

He said the DCO accepted a proposal for installation of a petrol pump on a plot for 30 years in favour of Mr Memon at Rs18,000 per month whereas the district Nazim approved the same land at Rs65,000 per month for five years in favour of Mehdi K. Lavji.

The secretary said it was a case of increasing rent and not disposal of land.