SANGHAR, Feb 23: Members of the district council have opposed appointment of administrators in local bodies and demanded one year's extension in their tenure. The members observed this in the district council session held here on Wednesday.

Ismail Dars, Faisal Wassan, Ehsan Ali Shah, Murad Ali Nizamani and other members demanded that the affairs of the school management committees should be checked. Mr Wassan and Mr Shah alleged that in Shahdadpur, 35 per cent commission had to be paid to the education officials to receive the SMC funds. Mr Dars said that influential head masters were misusing the funds.

Mr Wassan demanded a high level inquiry in the faulty construction of the Chhotiari reservoir at a cost of Rs5.665 billion. He said that embankments the reservoir had weakened and it would burst whenever it was filled, adding that was why the irrigation department was reluctant to take it over.

He said that despite rains, which should improve water availability in rivers and canals, the Sindh irrigation department was still observing water rotation system and keeping canals closed.

Mr Nizamani alleged that the NADRA employees were demanding bribe from the CNIC seekers through their agents and in some areas, the CNICs had not been received despite fulfilling of the formalities a year ago.

Some members demanded provision of Urea fertilizer at the control price of Rs450 per bag and pointed out that it was not available even at a rate of Rs550. Others said that before implementing the Education For All programme, the government should ensure reopening of closed schools.

They said that more than 35 per cent schools in rural areas of the district had been turned into Otaqs (guest houses) by landlords. They deplored that millions of rupees had been spent on the school buildings and their ghost teachers were drawing salary every month.

Some women members demanded disbursement of scholarships to needy students from the Baitulmaal funds. They said that many needy students had applied for the scholarship but none of them had received it.

FIGHT: A goldsmith suffered a fatal heart attack and four were injured during a fight between two groups of goldsmiths at Saeed Market here on Wednesday. At a meeting of the Zargar Association, two groups exchanged hot words and then engaged in a scuffle.