SARGODHA, June 25: A sum of Rs480 million is being spent on 509 development schemes in the district and work on these schemes is in full swing to ensure the consumption of available funds up to June 30.
Distributing development cheques for Rs24.600 million among Nazimeen of 108 union councils of Sargodha, Shahpur, Sahiwal and Sillanwali, district Nazim Malik Amjad Ali Noon claimed that Sargodha would remain atop in utilization of funds within the stipulated period.
The meeting was attended, among others, by EDO (F&P) Shaikh Muhammad Siddiq, Sahiwal tehsil Nazim Ghulam Asghar, Sillanwali tehsil Nazim Rana Munawwar Ghaus and Nazimeen of the relevant union councils.
The district Nazim said funds of Rs550,000 had already been released to every union council. He urged union council Nazimeen to help complete uplift projects.
Later, he distributed cheques among the Nazimeen.
Earlier, the EDO (F&P) said the district government would announce its tax-free budget after receiving its share from the Punjab government.
ORDEAL: Some contractors of the Public Health Engineering Department have been facing ordeal in getting their final payments despite the verification of completion of projects.
Dawn learnt on Tuesday the government had directed the high-ups of the department concerned to make payments to the contractor after verification of final bills by the Nazim concerned. However, the Nazim did not verify the final bill, claiming the project was not undertaken with his approval.
Contractor Tasaddaq Cheema alleged the Nazim concerned refused to verify the final bill, although, he had performed the work of drainage and brick pavement of Rs1.4 million in Chak 100-SB.
When contacted, the Nazim claimed the corrupt employees of the PHED had completed sub-standard work and he did not want to become party.
SUBSCRIBERS: Swindling of thousands of rupees from telephone subscribers by fake armymen was unearthed here on Tuesday.
Reports said three men in guise of army officials used to receive telephone bills showing amounts over Rs10,000 and returned the fake bills showing payment.
The swindling was unearthed when the telephone authorities disconnected connections of the consumers and they visited the revenue officer.
PTCL revenue accountant Muhammad Mushtaq told newsmen that over 35 customers were defrauded by this way as there was no branch of HBL at the city Road.
The PTCL authorities have yet to get a case registered as involvement of some PTCL employees is being alleged.
Requesting anonymity, a revenue office employees told this scribe that the involvement of a private company granted a contract for collection of outstanding dues could not be ruled out as they used to claim their links with army high-ups.