14th Aug 2013 Local Govt, KMC, DMC News
OZT share of Rs 420 million yet to be released to DMCs:
The Octri Zilla Tax (OZT) share of Rs 420 million for the month of July could not be released to the district municipal corporations due to reluctance of the high ups of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), compounding the financial problems of the civic administrations, it is learnt.
Sources told that officials concerned were showing least concern in releasing the monthly due share of Octri Zilla Tax (OZT) of Rs 420 million to district municipal administrations, preventing the provision of municipal services in the city. They said that the Sindh government had not released the OZT for the month of July to the all five district corporations as Administrator Karachi, Metropolitan Commissioner and Financial Advisor had not allegedly perused the case before the Sindh Finance Department.
They said that the Sindh High Court (SHC) had ordered the Sindh government to release OZT share to DMCs till the 10th of every month but the order was not being followed in letter and spirit.
Due to inordinate delay in releasing funds to DMCs, sources said that thousands of employees of grade 5 and above had remained deprived of their salaries of the month of July. They added that the departments of the KMC associated with essential services were running out of fuel supply, sparking fears that these departments would not be able to continue their operations if they were not provided with fuel.
They said that the Sindh government was not paying any heed to the poor cleanliness condition in the city where heaps of garbage were found accumulated everywhere, while the KMC was still also awaiting for the release of its share of Rs 2.8 billion for the financial year 2012-2013 under the head of property tax.
They further said that the Sindh government released a meagre amount of Rs 200 million to KMC under the head of Property Tax in the last financial year (2012-2013). The Sindh government had to release Rs 3 billion to KMC under the head of Property Tax for the year 2012-2013, which the KMC had to disburse among all five district municipal administrations (DMCs). The DMCs used to carry out cleanliness drive after getting their share from the KMC under OZT and property tax heads.
Sources said that delay in release of the amount had not only affected the cleanliness drive in the city but also caused a source of worry for the employees of DMCs. Total five DMCs ie South, West, Central, East and Malir are working under KMC after the promulgation of SLGO-1979. They said that the DMCs were facing severe problems as they were not financially empowered under the Local Government System 1979. "The heaps of garbage accumulated in various areas of the city remain unattended for many weeks, posing serious threats to public health.
OZT share of Rs 420 million yet to be released to DMCs:
The Octri Zilla Tax (OZT) share of Rs 420 million for the month of July could not be released to the district municipal corporations due to reluctance of the high ups of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), compounding the financial problems of the civic administrations, it is learnt.
Sources told that officials concerned were showing least concern in releasing the monthly due share of Octri Zilla Tax (OZT) of Rs 420 million to district municipal administrations, preventing the provision of municipal services in the city. They said that the Sindh government had not released the OZT for the month of July to the all five district corporations as Administrator Karachi, Metropolitan Commissioner and Financial Advisor had not allegedly perused the case before the Sindh Finance Department.
They said that the Sindh High Court (SHC) had ordered the Sindh government to release OZT share to DMCs till the 10th of every month but the order was not being followed in letter and spirit.
Due to inordinate delay in releasing funds to DMCs, sources said that thousands of employees of grade 5 and above had remained deprived of their salaries of the month of July. They added that the departments of the KMC associated with essential services were running out of fuel supply, sparking fears that these departments would not be able to continue their operations if they were not provided with fuel.
They said that the Sindh government was not paying any heed to the poor cleanliness condition in the city where heaps of garbage were found accumulated everywhere, while the KMC was still also awaiting for the release of its share of Rs 2.8 billion for the financial year 2012-2013 under the head of property tax.
They further said that the Sindh government released a meagre amount of Rs 200 million to KMC under the head of Property Tax in the last financial year (2012-2013). The Sindh government had to release Rs 3 billion to KMC under the head of Property Tax for the year 2012-2013, which the KMC had to disburse among all five district municipal administrations (DMCs). The DMCs used to carry out cleanliness drive after getting their share from the KMC under OZT and property tax heads.
Sources said that delay in release of the amount had not only affected the cleanliness drive in the city but also caused a source of worry for the employees of DMCs. Total five DMCs ie South, West, Central, East and Malir are working under KMC after the promulgation of SLGO-1979. They said that the DMCs were facing severe problems as they were not financially empowered under the Local Government System 1979. "The heaps of garbage accumulated in various areas of the city remain unattended for many weeks, posing serious threats to public health.
LG Minister Declares Rain Emergency:
KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Local Government (LG), Owais Muzzafar, yesterday declared rain emergency in Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) and other associated departments in Karachi so as to ensure timely draining of rain water.
He also directed administrator KMC, managing director KWSB, municipal commissioner and director Municipal Services to personally monitor the rain situation and be available on ground to ensure proper drainage of rain water.
The minister issued directives for utilizing all available machinery and equipment for ensuring the same. He warned that if stagnant rain water is found anywhere in city street, the relevant officers would be taken to task.
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