DERA GHAZI KHAN, June 29: The ongoing power tussle and litigation between Khosa and Leghari groups have delayed the presentation of district’s annual budget for 2008-09.

District Nazim Maqsood Leghari has moved the Lahore High Court, Multan bench, against the passage of a no-trust move against him, alleging the ruling Khosa group of using government machinery to influence union council nazims against him. The plea will be taken up on July 8.

District Coordination Officer Capt (retd) Asad told Dawn the district government was ready to present the budget and would seek an advice from the Local Bodies Department. He said the district nazim had lost the confidence of the house. The ruling Khosa group, led by MPA Sardar Zulfiqar Khosa, is trying to grab the top district slot and has also moved court against “alleged corruption” by the district nazim.

Due to power struggle between the Legharis and Khosas, the district government could utilise only 30 per cent of the total funds Rs1.42 billions in the outgoing fiscal year while Rs320 millions of Community Citizen Boards remained unspent.

Legal experts say the district nazim has mandatory power to call a budget session. As both rivals are in court, the litigation may get prolonged thus creating problems for people.