January 30, 2006	Monday	Zilhaj 29, 1426

KARACHI, Jan 29: The city government has initiated a campaign to check the mushroom growth of unauthorized billboards in the city and corruption involved in the advertising business.

The city administration had started removing mismanaged billboards from Saturday evening and will continue the drive until all display panels distorting the face of Karachi are removed, said a statement on Sunday.

Using heavy machinery, illegal billboards were removed during the campaign, which simultaneously started in various localities under led by EDO Revenue Saleh Farooqi.

The initiative has been taken in line with directives of the City Nazim, Mustafa Kamal, to computerize the system of billboard advertisements. This will enable the city administration to keep proper data and minimize chances of departmental corruption.

In the first phase, all such signboards will be replaced with the ones having a computer number. These will then be auctioned in accordance with rules and regulations fixed by the City Council.

The city government has asked billboard owners to do away with their billboards themselves.

It is hoped the move will help generate revenue for the city’s development.

Meanwhile, Mr Kamal handed over Rs32.5 million worth of anti-bacterial spray machinery and drugs to town nazims at a ceremony held at the city government headquarters.

He said Karachi being an overpopulated city had witnessed deaths due to outbreaks of diseases in the past, adding that when the new city administration took office, there were only five such machines for 18 towns. It was decided to increase their number.

He said the distribution of spray machines was delayed because all 54 units, costing Rs54 million, were imported from Germany. Subsequently, Rs17.5 million worth of anti-bacterial drugs were procured.

Every town will be using three spraying machines each and, in future, more such equipment will be provided, he said, adding that the city government was striving to protect the health of people.

The nazim said that when he was sworn in as head of the city, he had promised equal provision of resources among 18 towns, and the distribution of these machines along with prior allotment of Rs50 million each meant that the city government had no double standards.

After the KWSB and the Works and Service Department, the KBCA officials were also integrating its services into the town administrations.—PPI