HYDERABAD, Nov 23: An amount of Rs100 million from the much awaited governor's package has been released to the district government by the provincial government under instructions of Sindh Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad , rekindling the hope that work on stalled projects of water supply and sewerage will be resumed.

It is learnt from reliable sources in the district government that the authority for utilisation of funds will be released soon by the accountant-general of Sindh as District Nazim Dr Makhdoom Rafiquzzaman has contacted him in this regard.

The package was announced by the then Sindh governor Muhammedmian Soomro at an open kutchery in the city. Following the installation of district governments, the first instalment of Rs250 million was released by the government specifically for water supply and sewerage schemes and the then DCO was appointed the project director.

Later, the Sindh government changed the project director from the DCO to the chief engineer of public health engineering but he was not given financial powers. The district government utilised only Rs9.067 million out of the Rs250 million by the end of fiscal year in 2003 and the remaining amount of Rs240.933 million lapsed before utilization for water supply and sewerage schemes. The second instalment of Rs250 million also could not be utilized.

Works on the schemes remained pending in the talukas of Qasimabad, City and Latifabad, leading to hue and cry by the district nazim, district council members and MPAs and MNAs belonging to Hyderabad.

The sources said that there were liabilities of Rs20 million of contractors which would now be cleared and the remaining works would be resumed. They added that water supply schemes would be given priority so that people's outcry regarding non-availability of water in Effendi Town, Gharibabad, Hirabad, Sarfaraz Colony and parts of Paretabad could be overcome.

It was learnt that the remaining amount of Rs141 million would be released on a representation from the district government through the district nazim after Rs100 million was utilised.

The sources said that works under Rs120 million package of the Sindh governor would continue as they pertained to water supply system's improvement. The funds were released after Hyderabad city was badly hit by a water contamination crisis in May-June this year. Tenders of these schemes have already been issued.

When contacted, the district nazim confirmed that authority for utilization of Rs100 million would be released by the accountant-general in a day or two. He expressed gratitude to the Sindh governor for ensuring release of much awaited funds.

FERTILIZERS: Committees will be constituted at taluka level to ensure availability of adulteration-free pesticides and fertilizer in the district, reports our Bureau. This decision was taken at a meeting of the district anti-adulteration committee held on Monday. The committees will be headed by DDOs, agriculture, and DDOs revenue, TPOs and a member of the Kisan Committee will be the members.