HYDERABAD, Aug 10: The district relief committee has demanded that the Sindh government should immediately release Rs100 million to compensate rain victims of the district for their losses.

At its meeting held at the circuit house here on Saturday, the committee discussed matters pertaining to transparent survey of the losses caused by rains, scrutiny of applications, arrangement of funds and payment of compensation to affected people.

The meeting was presided over by the adviser to the Sindh chief minister on home affairs, Aftab Ahmad Shaikh, who is the head of the committee, and attended by Sindh Sports, Culture and Youth Affairs Minister Naeem Ishtiaq, Sindh Zakat, Ushr, Auqaf and Religious Affairs Minister Dr Irfan Gul Magsi, District Nazim Dr Makhdoom Rafiquzzaman, DCO Mukhtar Ahmad Aziz, Sindh Zakat Council member Apa Marriam Noohani and other officers of the revenue department.

The meeting fixed Aug 20 as the last date for receiving applications from rain victims which would be scrutinized through taluka Nazims and MPA of the area concerned.

It decided to expedite the survey work by appointing more staff to ensure timely compensation to the people.

A sub-committee, comprising Mr Shaikh, Dr Magsi, Mr Ishtiaq and Dr Rafiquzzaman, was constituted to approach the Sindh Zakat Council chairman and the Baitul Maal authority for financial aid.

Dr Magsi informed the meeting that Rs300 million was demanded from the zakat council to compensate rain victims, adding that Rs170 million was available with the council and Rs130 million would further be arranged.

He said the zakat council had sanctioned Rs15 million for the Badin district and Rs10 million for the Thatta district.

He said the amount for Hyderabad would be determined after the survey was completed, he added.

Mr Ishtiaq emphasized the need for conducting the survey in consultation with taluka Nazims and MPA concerned and complete it in the shortest possible time.

He said the district committee should monitor the survey work and scrutinize applications.

Dr Rafiquzzaman told the meeting that the district government had received 23,000 applications from rains and floods victims to date and 8,000 applications had been scrutinized. He said duplication had been witnessed during scrutiny and asked district government officers to remain vigilant and prepare transparent list of the victims.

He said compensation to heirs of the deceased would be paid on Aug 13 for which MPAs and taluka Nazims had been informed.

Mr Shaikh said many local, national and international organizations and governments were providing aid to the Sindh government and sufficient amount was available to compensate the people for their losses.

He hoped no victim would remain without compensation.

He also asked the district Nazim to order a survey of old buildings in Hyderabad.