KARACHI – In a video conference arranged at the Sindh Chief Minister’s House on Wednesday, Chief Minister Qaim Ali Shah directed all district coordination officers (DCOs) of the province to carry out their responsibilities with dedication. Shah said that all DCOs with powers under the Price Control Act should try to control price hike in their respective districts and take prompt action against profiteers. He said that the local government must implement the education policy since the World Bank is providing funds for the education sector.
Attention should also be paid to drawing female students to education as the government is providing Rs 2,500 a year to each local female student and Rs 3,500 a year to those studying in remote areas, he added.
The chief minister said that the respective district governments should take over the water supply and drainage schemes left unattended after being completed by the Public Health Engineering Department.
He said that the DCOs should monitor the census programme as the house count would have to be completed by April 19. Time is limited and efforts must be made for transparency, as well as ensuring that all houses and people are counted, he added. Shah said that a number of complaints regarding shortage of gunny bags have been received; however, the Food Department would ensure their supply so as to facilitate procurement of wheat.
He said that the DCOs should ensure that all growers are provided with the wheat support price of Rs 950 per 40kg. The inter-provincial ban on movement of wheat would continue until procurement is completed, he added.
The chief minister stressed upon the DCOs to monitor the schemes under the provincial annual development programme in conjunction with the provincial government.
He said that the officers should take part in various health projects regarding polio and hepatitis, as well as support the People’s Primary Healthcare Initiative and the basic health units. The condition of many government hospitals is deplorable, and it is the collective responsibility of everyone to improve the situation of these hospitals and other health facilities, he added.
