HYDERABAD, Sept 15: District Nazim Dr Makhdoom Rafiquzzaman has expressed satisfaction over completion of 71 development schemes out of 86 of the financial year 2002-03 in Qasimabad and Tando Allahyar.

He was presiding over a meeting held at the district nazim's secretariat here on Tuesday to review union council-wise development schemes of the two talukas. The nazim said 38 development schemes out of 44 had been completed in 17 union councils and the remaining six were near completion in Tando Allahyar from the development allocation of Rs3.7 million for each union council.

In addition to this, he added, seven Rs17.12 million development schemes had also been initiated in the taluka, out of which three schemes had been completed and work on four was in progress.

Similarly, he said, 27 development schemes had been completed from the allocation of Rs3.7 million for each union council in Qasimabad and work on three schemes was in progress. Besides, five development schemes, costing Rs10.658 million, had also been initiated in the taluka. Three of the schemes had been completed and work on two schemes was in progress, he added.

He said the pace of development work in these talukas was more appreciable as compared to the district's other talukas. However, he made it clear that development work in other talukas had suffered due to delay in release of sugar cess fund.

He assured union council nazims and officers concerned that the district government would ensure provision of development funds to them to complete the schemes within the stipulated period.

Mr Rafiquzzaman said the district government had also floated tenders for 19 new development schemes recommended by union council nazims of the Qasimabad taluka and 16 schemes recommended by union council nazims of the Tando Allahyar taluka.