KARACHI, Sept 23: The joint survey of 11,450 acres of the Hawkesbay Housing Scheme No.42 in Karachi is almost complete under the direction of Sindh ombudsman Justice (rtd) Haziq-ul-Khairi, after 19 years of its announcement.

A total of 29,462 applicants applied for allotment of plots in the scheme, and Rs700 million were collected by the KDA from them. But the entire amount was spent on other schemes, on salaries and of staff, and nothing was left for the development of the scheme.

In the light of the decision of January 13, 2001 by the ombudsman, the governor Sindh formed a committee to enquire into the affairs of the scheme, but it remained dormant.

The ombudsman, taking notice of the delay once again, took up the matter and directed the city government to deposit Rs8,58,570 as survey charges for the joint survey of the land. The amount was deposited accordingly.

The ombudsman directed the city government to create commercial blocks in the scheme, auction commercial plots and start uplift work ensuring allotment to 29,462 families.— PPI