HYDERABAD, Feb 24: The DCO has directed contractors to complete as soon as possible work on water supply and sewerage system restoration and improvement schemes under the governor's package in the city's three talukas.

DCO Mohammad Hussain Syed was presiding over a meeting of management of the Hyderabad Development Authority and contractors at the Shahbaz Hall here on Wednesday. He assured contractors that their dues would be cleared in 15 days.

He said the Sindh governor had approved payment of Rs241 million of the Rs500 development package of the governor in the first phase. He said out of this amount, Rs100 million had been released and the remaining amount would be released to the HDA in two instalments of Rs100 million and Rs41 million, subject to 90 per cent utilization of the released amount by the executing authority.

The DCO informed the meeting that 48 schemes pertaining to improvement, rehabilitation and extension of the water supply and sewerage system had been awarded to contractors in August 2002 under the governor's package. Out of the total development schemes, work on 20 schemes was at advanced stage and work on the remaining schemes was at the initial stage, he added.

Referring to bottlenecks pointed out by contractors due to delay in payment, the DCO said differences in prices of pipes and steel would be paid to contractors according to the notification issued by the government. He further said contractors who cooperated with the government would be encouraged and facilitated.

He also said works surrendered by contractors would be re-tendered without further delay. HDA director general Tahir Ahmad, Water and Sanitation Agency Shaukat Hayat Bhutto and finance EDO Syed Sikandar Ali Shah attended the meeting.