THATTA: The Anti-Corruption Establishment has detected gross irregularities and large-scale embezzlement of funds in 231 development schemes in Thatta and Sujawal districts and found that at least 24 schemes exist only on papers, Dawn learnt on Sunday.

The ACE monitoring and evaluation team, which unearthed the huge corruption after several field visits and keen perusal of relevant record of the planning and development department, said in its initial report that the non-existent schemes included bus stop sheds at the villages of Belo town, Allu Samoo, Allah Bachayo Bhatti, Haji Arbab, Haji Limoo Mallah, Budho, Haji Ismail Rind and Mori, a dispensary building in Jahan Khan Magsi village, extension of waiting room at Sujawal taluka hospital, a one-room school at Imam Bux Chandio village, extension of Jhimpir basic health center, a dispensary at Bachu Sehto village, a metallic road from Haji Mohammad Abbasi village to Saleh Mendhro village and others.

The department concerned claimed in relevant papers that millions of rupees had been spent on the bus stop sheds, metallic roads and building extensions etc which did not exist on ground, said the report.

A member of ACE team disclosed on condition of anonymity that the ACE had reported to relevant quarters complete lack of cooperation on the issue by officials concerned, including chief engineer of buildings department, superintending engineer of works and services department and executive engineer of Thatta.

The team approached the officers time and again to record their statements but they were not forthcoming and did not volunteer on one or other pretext, he said.

The ACE had conducted the inquiry after the chief secretary ordered a thorough probe into gross irregularities in development funds in Thatta and Sujawal, said the report.

Published in Dawn, June 20th, 2016