SWABI, July 14: The opposition in the district council staged a walkout against what it called deviation from the agenda by the treasury benches and the budget was passed on Tuesday, a day earlier than scheduled, in its absence.

Speaking in the absence of the opposition, District Nazim Jehanzeb Khan alleged that the people who had been involved in corruption in the passed had staged the walk out.

He alleged that Rs563,000 had been spent on a day-long tour three clerks were given Rs1,500 each when the NWFP governor visited Yar Hussian during the district government. "An audit team had detected the case and recommended further inquiry," he said

He said the previous district government spent Rs530,160 on crockery and tents for a programme and the crockery dealer had alleged that he had given 50 per cent discount to the previous leaders.

About the dismissal of 33 employees of the communications and works department, he said any person who belonged to another district would not be employed here. Those who belonged to district might be reinstated with the consent of their respective union council nazims, he said.

He told the public safety commission to accelerate its activities and bridge the gap between the masses and police. "If the PSC fails to work according to the wishes of the people, I will take action," he said.

He said the district headquarters hospital lacked facilities and the doctors there did not take interest in their duties. He said an electricity generator would be purchased for the hospital and he had got the sanction from the council for it.

He said air-conditioners would be installed in the children's ward. He said two committees had been formed to look into the tobacco crisis. He expressed the hope that the companies would pick up all the tobacco from the growers.