KARACHI, July 7: The Chief Minister, Dr Ghulam Arbab Rahim, has constituted a high-powered committee to solve problems concerning the New Sabzi Mandi. The committee, comprising 21 members including Minister of Irrigation Sardar Nadir Leghari, representative of HQ-5 Corps, Managing Directors of the KESC and KWSB, and representative of National Highway Authority, would consider the ways and means to implement the Sindh ombudsman’s decision of June 24, 2000 in letter and spirit.

The terms of reference of the committee include examining and suggesting the future management of the mandi through an autonomous statutory body or corporation, and also to examine the feasibility of establishing several more sabzi mandis near major entry/exit points of the city like on the National and RCD Highways.

Other terms of reference included relocation of entry and exit gates of the mandi to avoid traffic hazard since it faced the highway, and to arrange for audit of the market committee’s un-audited accounts and fix responsibility on the delinquent officials.

The committee in consultation with the NRB would also examine whether the management of the market committee should be devolved to the district government under the Sindh local Government Ordinance 2001, and that a comprehensive plan be prepared for removing encroachments with the assistance of LEAs.

Meanwhile, the allottees have expressed concern over non-compliance of the orders of the Sindh ombudsman and the high court by the market committee of not forwarding the plans of shops to the KBCA even after the mandi’s master plan was approved.

They pointed out that the KBCA had asked the market committee’s administrator to forward all submitted proposed building plans through the committee for its approval and regularisation in accordance with the KBCA rules.

Although the market committee had received almost full payment from most of the allottees against land cost, provision of basic facilities of power and water supply, and maintenance of clean atmosphere, but these facilities were non-existent, said the Malir Wholesale Fresh Fruits Merchants and Growers Association President, Muhammad Javed.

He said despite five years of its transfer from the venue of the old Sabzi Mandi, on the University Road, to its new place, no facility had been provided. People even had to purchase water for drinking purposes, he deplored.

On the other side, encroachments took place on open plots, he said, adding that the market committee had turned a blind eye to the issue. Even footpaths and parking lots were being encroached upon.

He lamented that the NAB was yet to initiate action on the reference sent to it (NAB) five years back by the Sindh ombudsman against the officials responsible for rampant corruption in the market committee.

Mr Javed asked the NAB chief to pay a visit to the New Sabzi Mandi to see for himself that the atmosphere there was stinking and unhygienic conditions prevailed, negating the very purpose of the project, financed by the Asian Development Bank, i.e. to give the city a model Sabzi Mandi.

He also urged the newly constituted committee to consider transferring its management to the city government for compliance with the SLGO 2001 provision for streamlining its remaining affairs, as all vegetable and fruit markets in the province were under the control of the respective local governments.