SARGODHA, May 22: Governor Khalid Maqbool has assured parliamentarians that he would recommend to the Punjab government to give special grants for the uplift of the city.

The governor said during his visit here on Tuesday that he recommend Rs5 million each for 161 union councils of district besides Rs250 million for the provision of electricity in 118 colonies of city.

He also gave approval of improvement of sports stadium of Divisional Public School and special educational complex.

Nazim Anwarul Haq Piracha told him that the district government was facing fiscal problem as only nine per cent of the budget was left for development projects.

He said the district government disbursed only Rs400,000 to 161 union council nazims while Rs200,000 were given to special seat holders for development projects in their constituencies.

Mr Piracha also demanded setting up of a development Authority in Sargodha like other big cities and the governor promised that he would send a proposal to the federal government.

Wapda superintending engineer Tariq Chattha told the governor that last year 1,566 villages of Sargodha circle were electrified.

He said in three new grid stations would be constructed in the district at a cost of Rs1,640 million.

The governor also took serious notice of inefficiency of SNGPL and assured MNA Anwar Cheema that regional office of the department would be set up next month.

The governor later addressed an open kutchery at Jinnah Hall. He received a large number of complaints against police, revenue, Nadra, passport, Sui Northern Gas and Wapda.

He issued directions and warned the officials concerned of strict action if they were not implemented.

The governor announced resumption of Bhera-Malikwal train which was stopped due to derailment of the train thrice in a week.