HYDERABAD, March 16: The 262nd Urs celebrations of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai will conclude on Friday but the renovation and repair work for which Rs25 million had been allocated by former Sindh Chief Minister Sardar Ali Mohammad Mahar in April 2003 was not taken up by the Auqaf Department and the fund lapsed in November last year. The infrastructure in and around the shrine remained in a bad shape. Sardar Ali Mohammad Mahar had allocated the fund which was to be utilised for beautification and renovation of mazar and thanks to the efforts of the then Auqaf Minister Dr.Irfan Gul Magsi the fund was released on time.

The funds were to be spent on air-conditioning of the shrine and the adjacent mosque, sound system, installation of lights, extension of courtyard, construction of rest house and purchase of generators.

Dr Irfan Gul Magsi while briefing Mr Mahar on April 7, 2004 had informed him that the project would be completed within two years and 70 per cent of work would be completed during the year.

However, due to bureaucratic delays at government level the work could not begin despite lapse of almost three years.

The tenders were now to be floated after conclusion of current celebrations. The Auqaf Department officials said that “delay was on account of non-appointment of project director and non-availability of technical adviser in the Auqaf Department with the result that Rs21.884 million, released by finance ministry lapsed on November 28 last year”. According to an Auqaf official, the incumbent chief minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has re-appropriated the said amount now and promised to ensure release of Rs15 million to Auqaf before the end of current fiscal year.

The air-conditioning of the shrine and mosque stood deleted from project as CM’s Inspection Team (CMIT) opposed it for technical reasons.

It also opposed construction of Auqaf’s shopping centre but still it is part of project.

The family of Sajjada Nasheen had opposed construction of shopping centre opposite to his houses and those of “faqirs” of Bhittai.

According to Auqaf Chief Administrator, Imdad Ali Awaisi, an intimation regarding release of Rs7.5 million has been received while tenders of Rs24 million would be floated on March 21. “Majority of Shrines of Auqaf are facing a deficit in Sindh while the Shrine of Bhittai is on no loss and no profit”, he said but admitted that inner space of Bhittai’s Shrine needs expansion.

A visit to Bhitshah revealed that the Cultural and Auqaf Department officials were unable to maintain their infrastructure for what they claimed shortage of funds for meeting recurring cost on the maintenance. The civil administration has been unable to even get the Shrine cleared of heavy encroachments, causing hardships to the visitors including women and children.