KARACHI, June 4: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has accorded approval to filling up of 710 vacancies in the Education Department in Umerkot district. This would cost Rs38.8 million annually to the provincial exchequer.According to a statement issued by the CM’s House on Sunday, Dr Arbab said the move was part of the government’s efforts towards providing employment opportunities and maximum education facilities to the people of rural areas at par with those available in the urban areas.

The chief minister also ordered the increase in overtime from Rs700 to Rs1,000 for drivers of the Services & General Administration Department.

He ordered a one-year extension in the service period of 66 watchmen of the provincial food department, and a pilot, Major Abbas.

The chief minister sanctioned Rs2.7 million for the procurement of flood relief equipment -- boats, searchlights, etc. He warned that no misappropriation in the flood relief funds or slackness in the discharge of duty would be tolerated.

Dr. Arbab also directed the concerned officials to issue show-cause notices to the chief engineers of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, Khalid Malik and Asudo Mal; and superintendent engineers Jameel Akhter and Imran Asif for showing negligence in the discharge of their duties.

He said the engineers would be sacked if the charge was proved.

The statement said that the chief minister sanctioned an amount of Rs200,000 for the construction of security shade at sessions court Qambar district and Rs0.5 million for Dur Mohammad Library of the same district for purchasing books.

Dr Arbab ordered construction of the 50-km Nabisar-Borelo and Mithi-Tingano via Gadyar road, costing Rs32.4 million. He also accorded approval to the upgrading of the post of principal of the police training centers in Karachi and Shahdadpur.

The new title for the post is ‘commandant’. Officials of the rank of DIG in grade-20 would be posted at these offices.

—PPI/APP