Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. PHOTO: EXPRESS
A sum of Rs7 billion was allocated in the current budget for community development programmes for all the 168 members of the provincial assembly.
Those MPAs in whose names these schemes have been proposed and implemented under have no idea about it. "These funds were allocated under the community development programme to achieve the sustainable development goals and there is a Rs40-million limit for each MPA, irrespective of party affiliation, to initiate these schemes in their constituencies with the consultation of the community," said an official in the finance department. "But only the ruling PPP MPAs are properly availing this facility. Look at these schemes. As per our official records, these schemes are proposed by Pakistan Muslim League - Functional parliamentary leader Nand Kumar in Mirpurkhas but now he has disowned these schemes and requested an inquiry into the matter, arguing that he belongs to Sanghar, which is a district dominated by his party, and these schemes are being utilised in Mirpurkhas, which is the PPP's stronghold."
Talking to The Express Tribune, Kumar said he has written to the chief minister to investigate the matter. Talking about the community development programme, he said the lawmakers are supposed to identify schemes such as construction of roads, renovation of hospitals or schools and installation of hand pumps and purification plants with the help of the community. After drafting the scheme, the lawmakers submit the proposal to the planning and development department for vetting and approval. Later, the schemes are referred to the finance department, which has to release funds to the deputy commissioner concerned to start the development work.
"My proposed schemes for Sanghar district have been thrown in the trash," Kumar lamented. "Subsequently, the officials have devised some other schemes in my name for Mirpurkhas district."
The 168th reserved seat for minorities belongs to me, said Kumar, displaying his assembly membership card. "How can they recommend development schemes using my reserved seat and utilising my budget in those areas, which are considered our arch-rivals? Believe me I am totally blank and have no idea what is cooking behind the scenes," he said, adding that he has approached the deputy commissioner of Mirpurkhas to stop the development work on these schemes because it is a total fraud.
Despite many attempts, the deputy commissioner and commissioner of Mirpurkhas could not be reached for comments. Meanwhile, the additional chief secretary of the planning and development department, Muhammad Wasim, said he had no idea about the situation. "At the moment, I cannot give you any explanations," he said. "The planning and development department does not scrutinise these schemes, as per policy."
The finance portfolio is with the chief minister. When contacted, the chief minister's spokesperson said that no complaint has been registered with the CM but the government will deal with it accordingly if this is true.
Sabir Qaimkhani of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement also has similar complaints. He said that he had also proposed some schemes but the funds for these have been diverted to the rural areas of Hyderabad. "I have tried to speak about this in the Sindh Assembly but no one is willing to listen to me," he lamented.
Pakistan Muslim League - Nawaz's Sorath Thebo said she has proposed many schemes for community development and even though this financial year has almost finished, not a single penny has been released. "Finance department officials say the higher authorities have stopped them from releasing funds to opposition members," she said.
Published in The Express Tribune, March 13th, 2017.
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