SHEIKHUPURA, June 29: District Nazim Chaudhry Tawakkalullah Virk has sought explanation from District Coordination Officer Tariq Najeeb Najmi for allegedly changing budgetary allocations without the former's prior approval.

In a letter (to the DCO) on Tuesday, the Nazim accused Mr Najmi of changing the allocation for the purchase of medicines and maintenance of roads. Earlier, presenting the Rs2.86 billion tax-free budget for the next fiscal year at the district council session held here on Tuesday, Mr Virk said a grant of Rs2.34 billion would be received from the provincial government.

The session was presided over by convener Zahid Yaseen. The Nazim said Rs184.05 million would be spent on various development schemes in the district. He said Rs16 million had been set aside for the provision of free medicines to people, Rs5 million for livestock and Rs32.6 million for the supply of clean water in rural areas as well as construction of soling and drains in villages.

The district Nazim informed the house that an amount of Rs80 million would be distributed among those union councils deprived of development works in the current year.