GUJAR KHAN, Dec 25: The good governance resolve expressed by the chief minister Punjab, Shahbaz Sharif is a welcome move but it would remain unfulfilled unless the culture of sifarish and political interference in the police, revenue and district administration is effectively curbed. This is the finding of a survey conducted by this reporter.

The common man demands nothing from the government except justice, fairplay and respect in his dealings with departments like the police, revenue, courts of law etc and  some check on rising cost of living including transport fares and better treatment facilities for the poor in hospitals and rural health centres.

Has the good governance slogan provided some relief to the common people? The majority of the people when questioned replied in the negative. They do not doubt the sincerity of the chief minister who is making efforts to materialize this dream into reality.

The over charging by shopkeepers and transporters has no check since the nazims have taken over administration. The patwaris (revenue officials) and Tehsildars are still being posted on political backing and serve the interests of their benefactors only.

The land mafia is hands and gloves with the corrupt officials.

Same is the case with the police. No doubt some honest officers have been posted at the top but at the police station level all the SHOs and sub divisional police officers (SDPOs) are being posted with the ‘consultation’ of those political figures who matter in the district. According to the sources there is not a single SHO or SDPO who is posted without the sweet will of ministers, MNAs and MPAs.

Even the postings of Sub inspectors, assistant sub inspectors and lower sub ordinates are being made on the dictates of the influential lot.

According to police sources a large number of police officials have been suspended and transferred on public complaints by the regional police officer but after some weeks they have managed to slip back into their jobs.. Under such circumstances public grievances remain unaddressed.

Good governance will deliver when the rampant system of sifarish and political interference is stopped and merit is made the principle in appointments and postings of public dealing officials.