ABBOTTABAD, April 9: The district council on Tuesday approved Rs2 million to be paid to private firms and contractors for removing snow from roads in Galyat.

At a session, the district council approved the amount which would be loaned by the Galyat Development Authority.

The council had demanded of the provincial government to provide funds to remove snow from the main Abbottabad-Murree Road as well as link roads in Galyat. A heavy snowfall in the areas last month had rendered the roads unusable.

District Nazim Mustafa Jadoon told members that the provincial government had not provided any funds and added that huge sums were needed to maintain the roads.

Some members raised the issue of shortage of teachers in many schools.

The session was informed that more than 500 posts of schoolteachers were lying vacant in the district due to a ban on appointments. It was also pointed out that most of the teachers posted in far-flung areas did not perform their duties regularly.

The meeting was informed that the education department had been told to ensure surprise visits by officials concerned to check the practice.

The amended schedule of taxes for hospitals, schools and hotels was unanimously passed by the council.