HYDERABAD, Sept 21: The Sindh High Court, Hyderabad circuit bench, on Friday issued notices to the Sindh chief secretary, local government secretary, Hyderabad (rural) taluka municipal officer (TMO) and provincial additional advocate-general on a petition filed by Hyderabad Rural Taluka Nazim Khawand Bux Jahejo against the TMO. They have been directed to file comments in two weeks.

The nazim has stated in the petition that ever since he took over the charge as the taluka nazim, he has found the TMO arrogant, inefficient, mischievous and disobedient. He said that the TMO was a habitual late comer and left the office without permission and remained absent without intimation to him.

He said that he had been tolerating the unbecoming attitude of the TMO and giving him verbal warning but to no avail. He said that he then started issuing explanation letters to the TMO but he never bothered to reply.

The nazim said that the TMO, as laid down in rule 4 of the Sindh Local Government (Taluka /Town Municipal Administration/Union Administration) Rule 2001, was empowered to appoint, transfer, promote or grant leave to council employees in BPS-15 and below, subject to his approval. He aid that it was required in rule 6(1) of the Sindh Taluka Municipal Administration Rules of Business-2002 that no important decision relating to administration shall be taken by a TMO except with the approval of a taluka nazim.

The nazim said that the TMO had been violating the rules and bypassing him by issuing orders without his approval or even without informing him.

He said that that he had sent numerous reports to the chief secretary, local government secretary and National Reconstruction Bureau chairman but no action was taken against the TMO.

He said that since 2005, the TMO had been using an official vehicle and getting CNG charges and at the same time drawing conveyance allowance, thus indulging in corruption.

He said that the behaviour of the TMO to the people, office staff and members of the taluka council was not good as a result the taluka council had passed a resolution against the TMO, demanding his transfer but in vain.

Mr Jahejo said that the TMO did not take interest in official work and was not performing his duties.