KARACHI, Jan 28: A city government spokesman on Friday contradicted a statement of the Sindh Local Government Commission (SLGC) issued to newspapers.

Explaining the factual position concerning sunshade and shop boards, the spokesman pointed out that in the past, the KMC and the city government used to get a maximum of Rs12.50 million on this account while as a result of open auction, the contract was awarded to A K Enterprises for Rs 250 million.

He said the contractor concerned deposited Rs 40 million with the CDGK's finance department in a few months which was higher by Rs 30 million when compared with the past.

The spokesman expressed surprise over the ignorance of SLGC officials and said the contractor deposited Rs 5 million as security through pay order and which is available with the finance department and has not at all been refunded.

Besides, he said, when the contractor became defaulter, the city government filed a suit against him in the High Court through Raja Haq Nawaz and the case is now pending with the court and, therefore, it cannot be commented for its being sub judice.

However, the spokesman continued, it is clear that at no stage the City Government committed any irregularity in the award of shop boards and sun shades contract and the process was carried out in a transparent manner.

He said despite the fact that the contractor defaulted, the city government earned a record revenue of Rs 30 million on account of shop boards for which credit goes to the CDGK, its elected leadership and officials, he maintained. -APP