DADU, Jan 25: Differences between the Nazims of 80 union councils of Dadu district and the DCO over release of development funds have intensified as the Nazims have decided to resign if their demands are not meet by Jan 26.

Twelve Nazims of Mehar and Khairpur Nathan Shah talukas have already resigned from their seats. Talking to this correspondent, the District Nazim and Naib Nazim threatened if the funds were not released to the UCs, the district council members would resign en block in protest.

District Nazim Malik Asad Sikandar said officers of the district were creating problems and not cooperating with the UC Nazims and the district government.

He had sent many letters to the National Reconstruction Bureau chairman and President Gen Pervez Musharraf about the situation, he said. Mr Malik alleged that the DCO was using delaying tactics in releasing funds to the UC Nazims and members of the council, which he had announced in the budget session.

He said he would pursue the matter with the Sindh finance department. District Naib Nazim Zahid Jatoi said a session of the district council would be held on Jan 26 to resolve the dispute between the UC Nazims and the DCO over the distribution of funds.

He said that if the funds were not released, he would also resign. The Dadu Ittehad Panel leader and UC-II Nazim Nisar Shaikh said it was decided in a joint meeting of the Nazims of Awam Dost Panel and Dadu Ittehad Panel if Rs1.5 million for each UC Nazim and general councillor and Rs500,000 for each reserved seat member were not released, they would hand over their resignations to the district Naib Nazim.

He said DCO Aijaz Mangi and finance EDO Noor Mohammad Leghari had announced in the budget session Rs1.5 million would be released to each district council members and Rs500,000 to the each reserve seat members.

A resolution in this regard was also unanimously passed but not a single rupees was released to any UC Nazim. Khudabad UC Nazim Paryal Birhamani said the district Nazim had also promised to resign if the funds for UC Nazims were not released.