DADU, Feb 14: At least 200,000 people of the Dadu town are facing problems because of the poor drainage system and the collapse of the water supply system and the DCO's refusal to release funds to the taluka municipal administration in this regard is increasing the hardships of the people, says taluka Nazim Syed Zafar Ali Shah.

He said this during a press conference held here on Friday.

He said that diseases were rife in the wake of the failure of the town's old drainage system, adding about Rs100 millions were needed to repair it and Rs150 million were available in the DCO's account but this amount was not being utilized for improving the town's drainage system.

Referring to the TMA's monthly income, the taluka Nazim said that TMA received Rs1.2 million under the head of octroi tax while Rs400,000 were recovered in different heads every month, adding that the TMA's salary bill amounted to Rs1.6 million.

He said the TMA was not in a position to repair the drainage or the water supply systems.

Accusing the DCO of violating SLGO rules, saying instead of releasing funds to the TMA, he had released funds to engineers of the district support team and works and services.

He blamed the district support team and other related bodies of having used inferior-quality material, adding this was the major cause for the system's collapse.

Meanwhile, a large number of people staged a demonstration outside the local press club here on Friday to protest against the failure of drainage and water supply systems as well as other civic amenities.

Later, protesters observed a token hunger strike.

HUNGER STRIKE: Students of the Government Degree College Boys, Dadu, boycotted classes for the fifth consecutive day and staged a demonstration here on Friday. They were demanding refund of computer fees.