HYDERABAD, Jan 20: Sindh is faced with economic deterioration and instability and the Muttahida Qaumi Movement is determined to end the sense of deprivation among the people of the province.

This was stated by the Sindh minister for excise and taxation, Rauf Siddiqui, while speaking after the inauguration of the Muttahida’s office in sector-D of the city.

The minister said that obsolete and out-dated laws would be replaced to provide relief to the people.

He said that a majority of the people of the province were living below the poverty line, adding that the common man’s problems had increased and they had not been given any relief.

He added that the government needed some time to overcome the problems faced by the people.

MEETING: The minister has urged officers of the department to improve their performance.

He was presiding over an introductory meeting of the officers at the circuit house here on Sunday.

He said no one would be transferred unnecessarily and warned action would be taken against inefficient officers.

The minister said he would make inquiries into complaints against officials of the department.

He urged the officers to recommend measures to improve performance of the department.

He asked the provincial secretary of the department to ensure availability of motor vehicle registration books at offices in the interior of Sindh as people had to go to Karachi to collect the registration books.

About action against narcotics dealers, the minister said only the dealers should be targeted and not their family members.

He also met a delegation of local transporters and assured them their problems would be resolved soon.

Later, talking to members of the Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, at the chamber’s secretariat, the minister appointed a committee, under his own chairmanship, to recommend amendments to the Excise and Taxation Laws.

The committee would have three members from the chamber and the excise and taxation secretary would be its fourth member.

The minister was of the view the 1959 Excise and Taxation Act needed to be amended to bring it in line with the present time requirements.

He assured the business community measures would be taken to promote industries.

He asked the chamber to recommend ways and means to improve the investment climate.