DADU, April 4: Sindh Education Minister Dr Hameeda Khuhrho has suspended the Executive District Officer, Education, Dadu, Mr Qamaruddin Farooqui, and ordered Sindh Chief Secretary Aslam Sanjrani to reopen the pending inquiry against him for illegally appointing teachers and misusing School Management Committee (SMC) funds. The minister also replaced Mr Farooqui with Professor Abdul Jalil Akhund.

In the aftermath of minister’s directive, Sindh chief secretary Aslam Sanjrani, directed the Anti-Corruption Establishment, Hyderabad range director, Mr Ali Ahmed Junejo, to reopen the inquiry against Mr Farooqui. According to sources, the inquiry centres around illegal appointment of 137 primary teachers, 32 JSTs, 19 junior clerk, two PTIs, four chowkidars between December 3,2002 to January 11, 2003 despite a ban on appointment.

The EDO Education had made all these appointments in violation of Sindh civil servants appointment, promotion and transfer rules 1974, sources said.

He had also reappointed retired officials in violation of rules and misused SMC funds amounting to over Rs 120 million donated by the World Bank for the purpose of purchasing furniture and renovation of schools.

Mr Farooqui also faces charges of illegally promoting 600 JSTs, HSTs during February 2005.

DEMO: A large number of employees of Dadu Sugar Mill, Piaro Goth staged a demonstration in front of Dadu press club to protest against non-payment of salaries to 1250 employees for the last 8 years here on Monday.

Speaking on the occasion their leaders accused the administration of lukewarm attitude towards the reopening of the project. They appealed to the Sindh chief minister to get the mill revived and ensure payment of salaries to the employees.

TEACHERS’ PROTEST: A large number of teachers under the banner of All Sindh Masjid Schools Teachers Association taluka Johi staged a protest demonstration outside Dadu press club here on Monday against ADEO Johi and head of sub-division Johi. They were led by president ASMSTA, Ali Nawaz Gadhi.

Speaking on the occasion Mr Gadhi alleged that the AEDO (male) Johi in connivance with the head clerk, was embezzling funds through payment in the head of salaries and supplementary bills in the name of teachers. He said that the ADEO was also illegally providing selection grades to the teachers allegedly after getting his palms greased.

Later, the protesters observed a token hunger strike.