KASUR, Dec 18: Chief Secretary Javed Mahmood has directed the district administration to halt 31 out of 41 development projects being carried out under the supervision of TMOs in the district with immediate effect besides severing all illegal water connections.

He also directed the revenue officers to make pending recoveries in the district by Jan 15, 2009. He ordered to launch a crackdown on pharmacies selling medicines without license.

The chief secretary issued these directions to district officers in a meeting held at the DCO office here on Thursday.

He asked the district officers that encroachments should be removed immediately from all government buildings, including schools and colleges.

Mr Mehmood directed the district administration to take strict action against the hoarders of fertilizer and ensure the provision of fertilizers and pesticides to farmers at the controlled rates.

He likewise directed the district officers to fill all posts lying vacant in different departments throughout the district without any delay.