HYDERABAD, Sept 23: The district council here on Tuesday demanded that the federal government should either reduce the power tariff or give relief in taxes that were part of the tariff.

The district council members said that it was people’s government therefore it should provide relief to the masses who were already facing hike in prices of essential items.

In this regard, the session adopted a resolution of Qazi Abdul Qadeer, who quoted an Asian Development Bank report and said that it indicated a decline in investment and production in major industries and increase in unemployment.

He asserted that everything was taking place under the International Monetary Fund dictates keeping in view the implementation of the World Trade Organization agreement by 2005.

He said that inclusion of federal taxes in the power tariff multiplied the increase.

Mr Qadeer also demanded that the agriculture sector should be given a subsidy to enable it to meet WTO challenges.

Rana Mehmood Ali Khan asked the convener to make a complaint against the EDOs to the chief secretary and the local bodies secretary for their failing to appear in the council session despite repeated calls.

The demand was made after the EDO (finance) did not turn up at the session to respond to the queries of members.

Same was the case with the EDO (health) who had sent the deputy district health officer to represent him.

Convener Nawab Rashid Ali Khan informed the session that not only the district Nazim but also the Sindh governor had issued such directives to the officers yet they remained absent.

Yousuf Qureshi rose on a point of order to draw the attention of the session to a news regarding conditions of 40 persons in a village Gailo Nonari and quoted the EDO (health) as telling that the people had natural disability and were not struck by any disease.

Mr Qureshi said that the people should be admitted to private hospitals on the expenses of the health department. Miran Mohammad Shah supported his proposal.

The convener appointed a committee which would submit its report in the council on Sept 27.

Babu Ramzan Arain expressed his displeasure as the EDO (finance) was not present to answer his questions.

However, Wasa managing director M. Tahir told him that during rains, Wasa had purchased 10 diesel pumps worth Rs1.2 million, five were given to the taluka municipal administrations and five were kept by Wasa. He added that the purchase was made out of the money given by the district government for relief measures.

He further said that six motors were also purchased which were equally distributed among three talukas of the city.

Likewise, he said, during heavy monsoon rain, 13 electric pumping machines were purchased and that no new generator was bought.

Responding to Yousuf Siddiqui’s query, the Wasa MD said that in the city, 90 per cent sewerage system related to open drains whereas 10 per cent was connected with sewers.

He said that garbage and plastic bags had worsened the sanitary situation.