HYDERABAD, July 27: Sindh Revenue Minister Imtiaz Shaikh has said a plan was being prepared to ensure early disposal of revenue cases. He stated this while answering a question about inordinate delay in disposal of revenue cases at a news conference at the circuit house here on Tuesday.

Mr Shaikh said members of the Board of Revenue would visit district headquarters to ensure early disposal of cases. He warned that action would be taken against elements who tried to tamper with the land revenue record or the record of rights.

The minister said a task force was reexamining pros and cons of the agricultural tax. He said computerization of the city survey record, Goth Sudhar Scheme and registration of kutchi abadis were among his priorities.

He said it was the policy of the government that ministers should hold open kutchehries and resolve problems of people at their doorsteps. The minister said he supported Sindh Assembly resolutions on the Thal canal and Kalabagh dam issue.

Replying to a question about the National Finance Commission award, he praised the Sindh chief minister for the stand he had taken on the issue. When his attention was drawn to the ongoing protest against the Sindh Public Service Commission, he said the commission worked under a set procedure and there was no question of malpractice.

About reorganization of the Pakistan Muslim League, Mr Shaikh, who is the party's Sindh chapter general-secretary, said he would visit every nook and corner of Sindh to make the PML a party of the masses.

He claimed that the time was not far when the PML would emerge as the majority party in the province as it enjoyed the support of people at the grass-root level. Answering a question, he dispelled the impression that the PML was a party of the establishment. He also denied any differences with Pir Pagaro.

He said the Muttahida Qaumi Movement was an ally and good relations existed between coalition partners. Mr Shaikh said election of Finance Minister Shaukat Aziz from the Tharparkar constituency would prove a boon for Thar and Sindh.

Earlier, the minister spoke at an open kutchehry at the circuit house which was attended by people and officials. He said only postponing payment of loans by farmers in areas declared calamity-affected was no solution to the existing problems.

The minister, however, said efforts were being made to provide real relief to farmers. Referring to suggestions of Sindh Chamber of Agriculture president Syed Qamaruzzaman Shah for improving the agriculture tax procedure and streamlining the revenue system, Mr Shaikh said steps were being taken in this direction.

On a complaint of a resident about shifting of revenue offices from talukas, he gave an assurance that the offices would be housed in their respective talukas. He announced that the office of sub-registrar would be set up in Qasimabad to resolve day-to-day problems of people.