HYDERABAD, Jan 15: A meeting was held at the DCO office at the Shahbaz Hall here on Wednesday to discuss the streamlining of financial matters of the Hyderabad District Council.

DCO Mohammad Hussain Syed presided over the meeting. Speaking on the occasion, he directed for closing nine accounts which he said were unnecessary and asked officers concerned to transfer the money lying in these accounts to the four active accounts of the district council.

Expressing his concern over the charging of low rent from shopping centres of the district council, the DCO directed the officers to charge the rent according to the Urban Property Rent Act.

He said under the act, owners of properties were authorized for annual 10 per cent increase in rent after first three years of the rent agreement. The DCO said the district council had valuable assets and properties which could be utilized for generating funds.

He asked the officers to submit him a comprehensive report so that the status of the council could be enhanced as per expectations of its members. He said a deputy district officer, assets, would be appointed who would work under the EDO, revenue.

Mr Syed said immovable assets of the district council would be transferred to the DDO, assets, for proper maintenance and efficient utilization. He said according to the Sindh Local Government Ordinance, 2001, the officer concerned would be responsible for submitting annual reports about assets to the district council.

Expressing his concern over abandoned dispensaries of the defunct Hyderabad District Council, the DCO announced that the dispensaries would be made functional with the help of area community organizations. He appealed to the organizations to help reactivate the dispensaries in their areas. The EDO, finance, district council officer and administrative and accounts officers of the council attended the meeting.