KARACHI: The Bund Murad Khan Scheme, abandoned after completion, had cost the tax-payers about Rs1 crore, without any return.

The scheme was a part of the Karachi Irrigation Project which also includes the Hub Dam project, approved by the Central Government.

About 4,000 acres of land allotted under the Bund Murad Khan Scheme to some 120 persons, are now being surrendered as there is no hope for the functioning of the scheme anymore.

The land was allotted at Rs1,000 per acre on installments for 10 years; the period was later extended to 90 years. Each unit for allotment was of 16 acres, but an individual applicant was not allowed to purchase more than 32 acres.

Of the total allottees, 40 have already surrendered the land, while more are approaching the Collector of Karachi for the refund of their money.

After completion, the Bund Murad Khan Scheme was transferred to the West Pakistan Power and Water Development Authority in 1959, in accordance with the decision of the Presidential Cabinet which also directed that no further allotment of land be made in the area. The recovery of instalments from the allottees was also deferred.

It will be interesting to point out that the administrative approval for the Bund Murad Khan Scheme was given for Rs40 lakhs by the Central Government on May 30, 1958, but the expenditure on this project had more than doubled.—Staff Correspondent