LAYYAH, May 15: A tractor officially purchased for removal of sand from highways to maintain smooth traffic flow in the desert area of Choubara tehsil is allegedly being misused.

It is learnt that the vehicle is being privately used to pull water tank at a road construction site with the connivance of the highway department officials.

Reports said the district government purchased a tractor (LYA-7065) for Rs600,000 four years ago for removing sand deposited on the roads of the desert area due to sandstorms. It is, however, being used at a road construction project of Bhurli Adda for minting money by the highway officials in the tehsil.

The roads remain sand-filled as the official vehicle is being misused by the officials concerned to make money. The salaries of the driver and helper of the tractor and its annual maintenance charges are being paid by the highway department, though it is being used for a private project.

Taking advantage of the situation, some local peasants have sown grams on the sand dunes which has blocked the road.

Social worker Mazhar Lashari has demanded that the provincial highways secretary should conduct an inquiry into the matter and throw the book at the officials guilty of corruption.

No official concerned of the highways department was available for comments.