MITHI, Oct 1: Sindh Chief Minister Dr Arbab Ghulam Rahim has said that mismanagement or embezzlement in the relief funds/material will not be tolerated and strict action will be taken against those found guilty of such practice.

He was talking to newsmen in Kitar village of Chhachhro taluka on Thursday. The chief minister said that he had received complaints of embezzlement in 70,000 wheat bags, provided by the Sindh government and recently distributed among the drought-hit Tharis.

He said that the matter was under investigation and if solid proofs of the embezzlement were unearthed, strict disciplinary action would be taken against the responsible officials.

"We stand by the stance of the Sindh government on the Kalabagh dam, however, dams are needed to ensure that farmers can get adequate water for irrigating their land," the chief minister said.

He said that unavailability of potable water was the core issue of Thar, hence, efforts were being made for the construction of reservoirs to store rain water. He said that the by-election of NA-229 Tharparkar was to be held on October 7 and their opponents were free to hold public meetings, and pointed out that the People's Party Parliamentarians had apparently decided to boycott the by-poll.

The general elections would be held in 2007 and the opponents of the Pakistan Muslim league could try their luck in the elections, Dr Rahim said. Answering a question, he said that the government would not make any deal with the PPP and the masses should not believe in such speculations.

Answering another question, he said that the schemes likely to be included in the Tharparkar development package were being verified and it would be a comprehensive package for the development of Thar.

Earlier, the chief minister offered condolence on the death of Qazi Suleman Nohri to his sons in Kitar village. MNA Ghulam Haider Samejo, MPA Abdur Razzaq Rahimoon, Arbab Attaullah and others were present on the occasion.