KARACHI, Sept 5: The Sindh Assembly was on Friday informed that physical possession of plots to the allottees of KDA scheme 42, who had paid more than 70 per cent of the cost, could not be given as the defunct Karachi Development Authority had neither provided basic facilities nor transferred funds to the Lyari Development Authority.

This was stated in a written reply by Chief Minister Ali Mohammad Khan Mahar, who also holds the portfolio of Local Government, in response to a question by Muhammed Rafique advocate during question hour. Minister for Planning and Development Mr Shoaib Bokhari read out answers on behalf of the CM.

The KDA had failed to provide the facilities like electric and water supply, sewerage lines and roads in the scheme which was transferred by the KDA to LDA on Jan 10, 1996 without payment of residual amount of Rs477.889 million for carrying out the leftover development works, said the CM.

He said the LDA, after its creation by virtue of LDA Act 1993, was totally handicapped and could not fulfil the terms and conditions laid down during allotment process between KDA and the allottees of the scheme-42.

The CM also informed the House that on many occasions, the LDA demanded transfer of outstanding dues but, regrettably, the KDA never honoured the agreed upon terms and was still keeping the whole outstanding amount in its account. As such, development work on 29,462 plots could not be carried out as yet.

He informed the House that keeping in view the hardships of the allottees, LDA had chalked out a comprehensive plan and suggested that seven development schemes in a phase-wise manner be introduced as per the availability of funds for initiating the residual works in the Hawkesbay Housing Scheme.

The House was also informed that KDA had allotted 29,462 residential plots of different categories to the general public and collected about Rs700 million between 1992 and 1995 from the allottees.

Speaker Syed Muzaffar Hussain Shah formed a committee to inquire into the matter and suggest ways for an early implementation of the scheme. The committee was asked to submit its report before the next assembly session.

The committee is comprised of Shoaib Bukhari, Waseem Akhtar, Syed Shakir Ali, Farida Baluch and Hameeduz Zafar from treasury benches, and Maulana Omer Sadiq, Mohammed Rafique, Nasreen Chandio and Dr Saleem Hingoro from the opposition side.

In response to another question from the same member, the government admitted that the inter-city bus terminals in the vicinity of Lea Market, particularly on Sheedi Village Road and Chakiwara Road, were creating serious congestion and road safety problems at times during day time.

The House was informed that an agreement was signed between the provincial and city government for the utilization of the inter-city depots with inter-city terminal by the City District Government as per a revenue-sharing formula and other essential terms.

The chief minister, in his written reply, said the matter of handing over the depots to the CDGK was in process with the provincial government, as such no further action could be initiated.

In reply to a question from Dr Mehreen Razzaq Bhutto of the PPP, the House was informed that the federal government had abolished Octri and Zila Tax (O&ZT) with effect from July 1, 1999.

As per the decision taken in the Inter-provincial Coordination Committee on May 3, 1999, on the understanding that Local Councils will be fully compensated for the loss from the revenue of GST, which was subsequently raised from 12.5 per cent to 15 per cent, the federal government decided to distribute this 2.5 per cent GST on the basis of the NFC.

The federal government retained 67.2 per cent and passed on 37.2 per cent of a 2.5 per cent of GST to provinces on the basis of population. Federal government has provided following O&ZT grants to the Sindh government during the last three years as against the audited income of Rs6.8 billion in 1998-99, Rs6.3 billion in 1999-2000, Rs4.5 billion in 2000-01, and Rs4.3 billion in 2001-2002.

Muhammad Yunus Barai wanted to know whether the KWSB was under the city government or was it an independent authority. If it is under Local Government, is there any scheme to dissolve it to the level of towns and union councils?

The CM in his written reply informed the House that an additional group of offices, namely Water and Sanitation, under the EDO of the CDGK had been established by the government. The role and functions assigned to the KWSB under the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board Act-1996 had also been devolved in the CDGK. As regards devolution up to the UC level, he said, the KWSB was devolved in the CDGK in terms of Section 1 82(3) of Sindh Local Government Ordinance-2001.

With regard to a question from Mrs Sharafunisa about desalination plants, the House was informed that Indus River is the most economical and viable source of water for Karachi. The other sources of water supply, including a desalination plant, can be examined.

Considering the cost intensive nature and high technological input associated with the installation of a desalination plant, theKWSB prepared PC-II costing Rs23.5 million for conducting a feasibility study for such a plant.

No reply was received to Haji Munawar Ali Abbasi who had asked a question about sub-soil water in Miro Khan Town of Larkana district.

Replying to a question, the chief minister informed the House that Mauripur Truck Stand was shifted to Hawkesbay on July 11, 1994 but it was a fact that truck drivers were still parking their vehicles on Mauripur truck stand illegally despite directives from the DIG Traffic not to do so. He said the government was taking action against the violators from time to time.

Replying to a question from Mrs Shamim Ara Panhwar, the House was informed that no amount had been allocated separately in the ADP 2002-03 for the development schemes of union councils.However, an amount of Rs87.666 million was allocated for development under new schemes in Mirpurkhas district.

Replying to a question by Nasreen Chandio, the assembly was informed that out of the four sports complexes under the city government, two were occupied by the para-military Rangers.

The Rangers occupied facilities are Korangi Sports Complex and Peoples Sports complex. The CM told the house that the government intended to get them vacated.

Mrs Shama Mithani wanted to know that which agency or authority was looking after the charged-parking system in Karachi and how much amount was collected monthly under this head.

The House was informed that under the SLGO-2001, the CDGK was recovering parking fee from the areas in its jurisdiction. According to figures, Rs31,811,686 were collected between July 1, 2000 and June 30, 2001. During the same period in the following financial year an amount of Rs42,815,818 was collected and for the eight months from July 1, 2002, a sum of Rs42,704,691 was collected.