KARACHI, May 23: Sindh Governor Mohammedmian Soomro on Thursday stressed the need for eliminating corruption from every field and strengthening institutions.

Presiding over a cabinet meeting in the New Sindh Secretariat, the governor called for taking timely decisions and then their implementation as per time-frame fixed for the purpose.

He issued directives with regard to better hygienic conditions, supply of clean drinking water, disposal of sewage as well as matters regarding contradictions between environment-related laws.

Mr Soomro ordered effective monitoring and checking of illegal constructions. He said checking and monitoring be carried out even during night and on holidays.

He directed that action be taken against persons involved in illegal constructions.

The governor directed that timely payment of salaries to all government employees be ensured. He said in organizations where difficulty was being faced in the payment of salaries because of devolution or restructuring, the payment should be made through bridge financing.

The cabinet gave approval to the criteria for the establishment of universities and degree-awarding institutions in both the private and public sectors.

The institutions which have already been granted charter had been allowed a grace period of five years to meet the provisions of new criteria.

The cabinet also approved the Sindh Universities Laws (Amendment) Ordinance 2002 whereby the meeting of University Senate will now be held once a year instead of twice.

The restructuring of SAZDA and Sindh Regional Plan Organization also came under consideration at the meeting.

It decided to transfer the responsibilities and functions of SAZDA to the districts which would match the system of devolution of powers to grass-roots level. It directed that a complete inventory of these organizations be prepared.—APP