LAHORE, May 6: Punjab Housing and Urban Development Minister Syed Raza Ali Gilani has ordered auction of all vacant plots in housing schemes and expediting the arrears recovery campaign. Presiding over a departmental meeting here on Friday, the minister said that vacant plots should be auctioned in a transparent manner.

He said there was no justification for keeping the plots developed for providing residential facilities to the people.

He also ordered presentation of a detailed report in respect of the arrears recovery from allottees of plots in a fortnight.

Assistance: The Punjab Baitul Maal has provided financial assistance of Rs70 million to 16,070 needy people directly and Rs44 million to district baitul maal committees for helping the poor during the last six months.

This was disclosed during a meeting held here on Friday to review the progress of distribution of the Baitul Maal funds. Provincial Baitul Maal Minister Chaudhry Muhammad Ijaz Shafi presided.

The minister was informed that rates of grants for dowry, educational stipend and medical treatment had been doubled this year and the Baitul Maal funds would be tripled next year for providing financial assistance to scores of deserving people.