KARACHI, Oct 6: Sindh Chief Minister Ali Mohammed Mahar has directed that work on regularization of katchi abadis be completed on a priority basis and development works in these abadis be accomplished in a planned manner.

He directed that planning be made in a manner that no new katchi abadi emerges.

He issued these directive at a briefing on regularization of katchi abadis and their problems.

The chief minister called for preparation of Karachi’s Master Plan and said survey work on this count be completed expeditiously.

He directed that a strategy be worked out whereby low-income people could be provided small-sized plots on low price.

He said that low-income housing schemes be prepared and people in these schemes be provided all basic necessities, including water supply, drainage etc.

Mr Mahar said that proposals be worked out for devolving the Katchi Abadis Authority, in principle.

In this regard, a committee was also set up with CM’s adviser on local government, additional chief secretary local government, City Nazim Karachi and director-general (DG) of Katchi Abadi as its members.

The meeting was informed that at present some 5 million people are living in Katchi Abadis in Sindh and emergence of more katchi abadis will create problems of town-planning and provision of civic amenities.

According to a proposal, a feasibility will be prepared whereby low-cost housing schemes on 200 acres will be developed.

The DG of Katchi Abadis informed the briefing that in Sindh there exist 1,293 katchi abadis spread over 25,410 acres and having a population of 3.5 million.

He said in all 1,157 katchi abadis are to be regularized while 95 Katchi abadis could not be regularised. Another 41 abadis are set up on private land.

He said so far notification of 932 katchi abadis has been issued and 702 abadis have been regularized.

He said that the SKAA and all the local councils have given proprietary rights to 131,749 persons.

He said development works have been completed in 327 katchi abadis at a cost of Rs 157.81 million.

He told the briefing that a notification in respect of 225 katchi abadis is yet to be

issued.

ILLEGAL TAX: Sindh Chief Minister Sardar Ali Mohammed Khan Mahar has ordered immediate action against those charging Rs 20 tax illegally from visitors going to Hawkesbay.