HYDERABAD, July 28: The Sindh chief secretary, K. B. Rind, has directed the DCOs and senior officers of nation-building departments to ensure the real impact of development projects instead of projecting the figures.

He was presiding over a meeting of DCOs and senior officers at the Circuit House on Saturday.

He said that a huge amount was being spent on development projects, which were aimed at eradicating poverty from the society.

He asked the DCOs to evaluate and submit him a fortnightly report regarding development projects to examine the real impact of the schemes.

Expressing concern over the non-utilization of billions of rupees of sugar cess development funds and non-payment of sugar premium to the growers since 1991, the Sindh chief secretary said that the amount outstanding against the sugar mills should be released and the management of the sugar mills be directed to provide lists of the pending amount to be checked by the DCOs concerned and displayed publicly so that the utilization of that amount be made transparent.

He asked the DCOs to prepare development schemes with the consultation of the cane commissioner, Sindh, and ensure the growers of the area are benefited.

Reviewing the financial implications being faced by the local government department, the Sindh chief secretary said that Rs425 million had been released by the government to resolve the salary problem of local government employees.

However, he assured that efforts were being made to get more funds to strengthen the local government institutions.

He said that law and order was the top priority of the government and made it clear that no one would be spared if found guilty of a criminal offence.

He said that the CPLC was giving good results and its network would be extended throughout the province.

He directed the police to ensure that the highways of their areas were safe and secure.

He emphasized upon the authorities of the health department to ensure medical facilities to the people, specially at the rural health centres, and get the immunization programme of the government going so that the confidence of the people on government hospitals could be restored.

He took serious notice of the illegal cutting of forests and warned that severe action would be taken against the delinquents.

He directed the irrigation officers to ensure water supply at the tail-end and take severe action against the people involved in water-stealing activities for which police support will be provided to them.

The chief secretary asked the DCOs to prepare polling schemes for the forthcoming elections in such a way so that the people do not face any difficulties in casting their votes.

DISTRICT NAZIMS: The Sindh chief secretary, K. B. Rind, has said the government is providing all possible guidance and support to strengthen the district government so that the problems of the people can be resolved at their doorsteps.

He was presiding over a meeting of the district Nazims at the Circuit House on Saturday.

The district Nazim, Hyderabad, Dr Makhdoom Rafiquzzaman, the district Nazim, Badin, Kamal Khan Chang, and the district Nazim, Sanghar, Roshan Junejo, were present in the meeting.