KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has expressed his dissatisfaction at the cleanliness situation in the metropolis and directed all deputy commissioners and district municipal administrators to undertake joint efforts and mobilise all resources to ensure cleanliness in the city within 15 days, failing which strict action will be taken against them.

The chief minister, who was presiding over a meeting here on Tuesday at the CM House to review cleanliness in the city, announced the formation of secret committees for monitoring the performance of officials concerned.

“Keeping the city clean is not a big task which can be achieved if the staff concerned is put to work and carry out their job,” he pointed out and said that their slackness was not only bringing bad name to the government, but also creating health hazards for the people.

The chief minister also empowered the officers to remove ‘ghost’ workers and staff unwilling to work within their organisations and directed that cleanliness in rural areas of Karachi was also ensured.

He said although monitoring and ensuring municipal services was the responsibility of elected representatives of local bodies, until local bodies elections were held, the officers entrusted with the job must deliver efficiently.

Meanwhile, the chief minister gave an approval to allot 217 acres of state land for development projects of the Veterinary University Sakrand at a meeting and asked officers concerned to maintain its status as an autonomous body.

An amount of Rs300 million was allocated for the university this year, he added.

The chief minister also held a meeting with the consul general of China based in Karachi who called on him at the CM House on Tuesday.

The CM informed the Chinese diplomat that Chinese investment companies would be provided with all facilities and incentives.

The consul general assured the CM of his full cooperation.

Published in Dawn, August 20th, 2014