–Ghani alledges of conspiracy to harm Karachi while revealing about discovery of stones in sewerage lines of Malir Kala Board
–Supply of water from Makhi-Farash to power companies operating in Thar, development of Nehr-e-Khayam approved by cabinet
–Dummy newspapers to be completely eliminated in the near future, Ghani vows
KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Information & Archives and Labor Saeed Ghani, while addressing a press conference after the provincial cabinet meeting on Monday, announced that the use of plastic bags would be banned throughout the province from Tuesday onward and legal action would be taken against anyone who violates the ban.
The cabinet meeting was chaired by Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah, while all ministers and advisers including the Sindh chief secretary and other officers concerned were in attendance.
The provincial minister revealed that stones were found in the sewerage lines of Malir Kala Board. “Some devious people, who intend for the country to remain underdeveloped, want to destroy our beloved cosmopolitan city,” he opined.
While briefing the media regarding the updates of the cabinet meeting, Ghani told that Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah had briefed the cabinet on the revision of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board’s (KWSB) tariff whereas the cabinet had directed KWSB to ensure implementation of the tariff which was approved by the provincial government in 2016. “Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah has also issued instructions to KWSB to improve their recovery,” Ghani added.
Further, Energy Minister Imtiaz Shaikh informed that the Left Bank Outfall Drain (LBOD) project was almost complete and gave a briefing on agreements related to the usage of water. The cabinet, after detailed deliberation, approved the supply of water from Makhi-Farash to power companies operating in Thar. “The chief minister is of the opinion that supply of water to power companies operating in Thar was extremely essential to fix power plants,” Ghani told.
Ghani disclosed that the Sindh cabinet also approved an agreement between the Sindh government and non-governmental organisation (NGO) People and Nature Initiative (PANI) for the improvement of Nahr-e-Khayyam. The place would be supplied with clean water and boats on which the general public can enjoy rides between Boat Basin and Clifton. “Nahr-e-Khayyam will be developed along with its surroundings to serve as a recreational spot,” he added.
He also said that the cabinet had decided for new cemeteries to be built in Karachi.
Approvals were also given for raising of a license fee of gratis arms from one thousand rupees to two thousand as well as the formation of a committee to remove hiccups in the implementation of new police law. “The purpose of raising the license fee was to cover the cost of the process issuing the license,” Ghani said.
The cabinet also approved the presentation of a report on the biannual monitoring of the National Finance Commission (NFC) award’s implementation for the period of January to June 2018.
“Various measures related to the Sindh Bank, which include bringing inexperienced people to the bank, taking full advantage of the IT sector, compliance of fraud management risk, recovery old loans, and establishment of more branches of the bank were also approved,” Ghani stated while adding that the provincial government, which had so far deposited Rs3 billion, would deposit another Rs14.7 billion in Sindh bank by 2020.
Furthermore, the cabinet approved the Sindh Livestock Breeding Services Rules 2019 and Rules of Sindh Development and Maintenance of Infrastructure Cess 2017.
Responding to a question, Ghani said that the Sindh government was striving to eradicate corruption in the information department and dummy newspapers would be completely eliminated in the near future.
In response to another question, the minister said that arrears were being paid to retired municipal employees and an effective plan was under consideration to expedite the process. “A meeting was held with the chief justice of the Supreme Court (SC) and all stakeholders agreed to seek undertakings from media representatives,” he said.
Speaking about grievances faced by workers in media houses, he said that payments of institutions which do not ensure timely payment to their workers would be stopped.
Moreover, issues of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital and Karachi Medical and Dental College (KMDC) during the meeting. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah has issued the order for drafting a proposal regarding the payment of salaries to employees of KMDC through the Sindh accountant general (AG) besides, requesting Syed Nasir Hussain Shah to resolve the issues of Abbasi Shaheed Hospital on a priority basis.
A committee to solve the issue faced by teachers passed tests conducted under the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) was also formed.
SINDH RESCUE 1122 EMERGENCY SERVICE ON THE CARDS
The Sindh Cabinet has set up a sub-committee to finalise matters pertaining to the establishment of Sindh Rescue 1122 Emergency Service.
The sub-committee would comprise the health minister, rehabilitation minister and advisor to Sindh chief minister on the law. It would thoroughly go through the legislation’s draft relating to the establishment of the service one last time before finalising and presenting its suggestions in the next cabinet meeting.
Ghani told that an Emergency Council, chaired by the Sindh chief minister and consisting of 13 members, two of whom would be from the private sector, had been proposed for the rescue service.
He also announced a plan for the establishment of the Sindh Rescue Service Academy where various short and long term courses would be offered for professional and skill development.
He explained that the purpose of establishing the proposed Academy was to include a team of experts in the emergency rescue 1122 service.
