JACOBABAD, Nov 7: The federal Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Justice (Rtd) Abdul Razzaq Thaheem, held a meeting with the union council nazims of the district at the district council hall here on Monday.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that UC nazims were empowered to keep vigilance on crimes in their locality besides checking the activities of police stations.

Explaining powers of UC nazims, he said they can attest forms of CNIC, stop frequent use of loud-speakers to spread religious or sectarian hatred.

He said UC nazims could monitor distribution of Zakat and Baitul Maal funds among people.

He also said that the prime minister had sanctioned an amount of Rs500 million for completion of water supply scheme for Jacobabad and a contract had been given to Frontier Works Organisation (FWO).

He further added that he had a meeting with Sindh Governor regarding drainage scheme of Jacobabad, who assured him of his support.

Mr Thaheem directed the DCO to get removed police station from the rural health centre, Mohammadpur Odho, Garhi Khairo taluka.

He distributed Rs5,000 each among the employees of defunct Red Cross Maternity Centre. Speaking on the occasion, the District Nazim, Begum Saeeda Soomro, claimed that all the UC nazims were honest and dedicated and ready to serve the masses of their respective locality.

She emphasized upon the Executive District Officer Education Jacobabad, to maintain cleanliness in all schools to provide hygienic environment to the students and further ensure attendance of the teachers.

She said that she had visited various under construction roads of the city and said that stern action would be taken against those found negligent.

She further asked the UC nazims to prepare development plans and schemes and submit them to her in time and assured them that due attention would be paid to them.

The participants complained against frequent breakdown of electricity, unjust distribution of the Zakat and the Ushr and shortage of medicines in the Civil Hospital Jacobabad.

The students of poly-technic institute, Jacobabad, Intezar Abro and others called on federal minister and the district nazim and complained against non-payment of MORA scholarship to them. The DCO was directed to solve students problems on priority basis.