15 October 2004	Friday	29 Shaban 1425

KARACHI, Oct 14: In a series of administrative reforms recently introduced in the Fishermen Cooperative Society, its two-member managing committee has decided that no function will be held in any five star hotel from the society's account in future.

A FCS source said the decision was taken by the two-member managing committee to end VIP culture in the society and cut down its lavish expenditures. The committee also decided that no official or authority including the chairman and vice-chairman would be allowed to travel in first class within the country or abroad.

The source said that a complete ban had also been imposed on gift culture. Accordingly, no gift or presents would be given or sent to any person whomsoever from the society's account.

Moreover, any presents or shields etc to be presented to visiting dignitaries would need the managing committee's approval. Thus, all orders allowing giving gifts or presents to any person or category of persons stood cancelled with immediate effect, the source said.

It was also decided that no advance payment to any vendor, contractor or supplier would be made for any job whatsoever, except in justifiable or emergency cases with the approval of the managing committee.

In order to streamline the day-to-day working of the administration, it was decided that all FCS officers should deal with matters that only fell under their jurisdiction.

Any act on the contrary would be treated as in discipline and dealt with accordingly. Talking to Dawn, Managing Committee member Shujaat Ali Qarni said the steps had been taken to improve the working of the FCS and its financial position.