KARACHI, Oct 4: All industries and factories in SITE will under go an inspection after Eidul Fitr to ensure availability of safety measures as the Sindh cabinet has taken a decision to this effect.
This was stated by Sindh Minister for Industries, Labour, Transport and Cooperatives Adil Siddiqui while speaking as chief guest at the inauguration ceremony of the SITE Association’s Eid Bachat Bazaar here on Wednesday.
He said that a committee would be constituted for the inspection, but held out the assurance that no harassment would be caused to industrialists. He advised the SITE Association to issue a circular to all its members to inform them about the inspection.
The inspection would be aimed at assessing safety and pre-cautionary measures adopted by owners of industrial concerns.
The minister, who inaugurated the bazaar in place of Governor Dr Ishratul Ibad, noted the abysmally low presence of industrialists at the inaugural ceremony, and recalled that on another occasion earlier where the governor was present, participation by members of the SITE Association was too low.
Referring to the issue of non-holding of SITE Board meeting for three consecutive months, Mr Siddiqui said that industrialists were mainly responsible for it. “Sixty per cent is the fault of industrialists and the rest of government officials. The Association should have informed me of the situation so that I would have ensured monthly and regular meetings.
“Whenever an action is proposed, SITE Association it-self comes forward to save the government functionaries. Record funds are provided under the present government and an additional fund of R500 million has been earmarked. We are in contact with you (industrialist associations) on a daily basis and yet problems exist. There must be some undue interests or favours which prompt the association to protect officials.”
Responding to the issue of losses to industrialists and factory owners in recent fire incident which also claimed lives of some firefighters, the minister said that the Sindh cabinet had called upon the SITE Association to come forward to help the families of the firefighters financially.
Later, talking to the reporters, he said that checking of safety measures fell within the domain of Civil Defence Organisation but it was kept out on the complaint of SITE Association that they might be harassed by the organisation.
Earlier, Amin Bundukda, Chairman of the SITE Association of Industry, presented the welcome address.
He also highlighted the problems being faced by the Association and its members, and appealed to the minister to take personal interest in the establishment of the effluent treatment plant. He also urged the minister to take measures for improvement of the infrastructure and removal of traffic bottlenecks in SITE.
Zubair Motiwala, a former chairman of the Association suggested establishment of a permanent display centre at the SITE Stadium.—APP