LAYYAH, Dec 20 The Revenue Department has allegedly deprived lowly service providers called 'muawneen' of land through illegal allotments in Chaubara tehsil.

The land specified for watchmen and blacksmiths in Chak No 343 of the Thal Development Authority (TDA) has been occupied by the influential Sargana family. Manzoor Husain, the imam masjid (prayer leader) of 328-TDA, has been deprived of his agriculture land by chak lumberdar Asad Raza.

The land specified for lowly service providers such as watchman, blacksmith, blacksmith and carpenter in Chak 339-TDA was illegally allotted to Muzaffar Bukhari.

In Chak 315-TDA, cobbler Allah Ditta and his family was illegally ejected from his residential plot No 55 by Sultan Dhul.

On the application of Allah Ditta, the Chowk Azam police registered a case against Muhammad Zahid and Muhammad Mujahid, the sons of Dhul, under sections 447, 379 and 427 of the Pakistan Penal Code on July 30.

Dhul says the Revenue Department allotted them the plot and he has deposited the dues to get the ownership. Patwari Muhammad says the Revenue Department allotted the plot to the Dhul family due to their possession of the plot.

Deputy Officer-Revenue Asim Sadiq said he would look into the matter.

The TDA with 506 chak units was created in 1952 in Layyah. The authority earmarks five acres each in 92 chaks for service providers.

According to rules and procedures of the TDA, landless service providers may reside and cultivate their land as long as they reside in their village and offer specific services to villagers.