KARACHI: Sindh Chief Minister Syed Qaim Ali Shah has directed the minister for local government to launch within a week an operation against encroachments and illegal construction on amenity plots and government land belonging to the local bodies department, Karachi Metropolitan Corporation and Karachi Water and Sewerage Board.

At a meeting at Chief Minister House here on Monday, Mr Shah expressed displeasure over unabated encroachment on amenity plots and illegal establishment of marriage halls on government land and amenity plots. “What is happening in this city and where are the KMC and KWSB administrations?” he asked.

Sindh Minister for Local Government Sharjeel Inam Memon said earlier while briefing the chief minister that a large number of marriage halls had been constructed on KMC land.

“Similarly, great havoc has been played with amenity plots meant for parks and community centres. Marriage halls have also been set up illegally on KMC land,” he said.

The chief minister directed the minister to compile a detailed list of the KMC and KWSB land under illegal occupation of land mafia and submit it to him within a week. “I want a similar report for Hyderabad, Sukkur and Larkana as well,” he said.

He also directed the minister to launch a massive operation against land mafia occupying land of local bodies department in Karachi within a week. “I suggest you write a letter to seek assistance from Rangers, police and anti-encroachment force for the operation. The Sindh government will extend its full support,” he said.

The minister also informed the chief minister that the monthly bill of the KWSB stood at Rs700 million but hardly Rs350 million was recovered. “Out of the recovered amount, 90 per cent goes into salaries and the remaining is utilised in repair and maintenance. There are around 14,000 employees in KWSB against a requirement for 4,000 only,” he said.

The meeting was attended by Sindh Minister for Finance Syed Murad Ali Shah, Chief Secretary Sajjad Saleem Hotiana, principal secretary to chief minister Alamuddin Bullo, Secretary Finance Sohail Rajput and others.

The meeting also discussed the recovery issues of the KWSB.

Published in Dawn, January 27th, 2015

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