OKARA, Sept 6: More than 65 low-grade tehsil municipal administration pensioners have been deprived of their gratuity funds to the tune of Rs8000,000, by the TMA since their retirement about four to five years back in violation of prime ministers’ orders.

Giving details, municipal workers’ CBA president Muhammad Rafiq Chishti said the union had mailed an application to Prime Minister Shukat Aziz demanding Rs10 million funds for the payment of workers’ dues on humanitarian grounds.

The request was immediately responded by the PM secretariat and directions were issued to Punjab chief secretary vide reference No F-2(99)/SO-PAW(Pb-II)GRI/2005 on July 6 to take appropriate steps. The CS office in turn sent a letter reference No SO(PTS)2-594/2005 on July 30 to local government secretary to pay the gratuity funds out of TMA’s development funds to the pensioners.

But the TMA not only overlooked the departmental directions but it also flouted the orders issued in this regard by District Coordination Officer Muhammad Aslam Kamboh.

It is also learnt that only Rs20 lacs have been given so far to these poor pensioners.

The pensioners have demanded the president, prime minister, and Punjab chief minister should order steps for payment of the dues.

SHOT DEAD: A rickshaw driver, Riaz, of Girjaghar village (Basirpur) was allegedly shot dead by Basharat, Amanullah and another unidentified accomplice over some petty matter. Police have registered the case.