KARACHI, Feb 4: Sindh Local Government Minister Muhammad Hussain Khan has directed for early constitution of the governing body for the Sehwan Development Authority so that the pace of various development projects could be accelerated, especially in the housing sector.

He ordered immediate computerisation of records of allottees in various housing projects and underlined the need for compilation of data of vacant plots and status of low-cost housing projects to ensure transparency and have clear picture of the situation.

He asked for expediting the development work on 200 acres earmarked for cottage industry.

The minister issued these directives while presiding over the first meeting of Sehwan Development Authority after its revival at his office. Additional Chief Secretary Rukhsana Saleem, Special secretaries Ghulam Arif Khan and Iqbal Zubaidi were also present on the occasion.

Referring to the Gulshan-i-Shahbaz Housing Scheme, the minister regretted that despite its launch in 1982, the scheme had not picked up pace. He stressed the need to revive this housing scheme, which was spread over 3,350 acres with 40,000 plots in addition to 640 acres which were allotted to 34 cooperative societies.

The minister said the decision of reviving the Sehwan and Larkana development authorities had been taken in the larger interest of the masses aimed at facilitating them without any discrimination. He directed for preparation of a comprehensive evaluation report on re-organisation of the SDA regarding requirement of funds, staff, office equipment and other related issues.

Earlier, Additional Chief Secretary Rukhsana Saleem briefing the meeting said that Gulshan-i-Shahbaz was located on a prime land and there was a need to provide incentives to allotters for early possession and occupation of the scheme.

Special Secretary Ghulam Arif Khan said a detailed working paper would be prepared for reorganization of the SDA.

SDA Project Director Muneer Ahmad Soomro said the scheme was created on December 25, 1993, but control of all housing schemes within Dadu was transferred to the authority in June 1995 and now it was revived.

He said there were 30,000 general plots on 2,250 acres in the scheme while 10,000 plots were earmarked for cooperative societies The scheme has 1,160 plots of 400sq-yds, 2,020 plots of 240sq-yds, 8,120 plots of 120sq-yds, 16,500 plots of 80sq-yds and 2,200 plots of 60sq-yds.

In the scheme, he added, 1,940 acres had been earmarked for public, 950 acres for cooperative societies, 554 acres for commercial plots, 180 acres for theme park and 150 acres for industrial purpose.