Ghotki is being ruined by irresponsible hands
ISLAMABAD: Ghotki, a town in northern Sindh, is being ruined by irresponsible hands that are suspected to be involved in corruption and the misappropriation of funds allocated for sanitation and maintenance of the city.
Sanitary conditions in the city are highly unsatisfactory. Sweepers are mostly absent leaving heaps of trash uncleared. This gives a shabby look to the city. Gutters are overflowing and most of the roads are flooded with sewage water because no sanitation staff is to be found. Encroachments are at full swing, as a consequence of which traffic jams are witnessed every day. Shopkeepers are free to encroach upon footpaths and roads.
Most rickshaws are without meters and number plates. It is as if drivers have been licensed to rob the public by charging exorbitant fares. During the night, they double the fares, especially when they see families looking to hire rickshaws. There is no rate list of fares.
Omni wagons running in the city carry 22 passengers instead of 18. They are compelled to pay illegal ‘Adda charges’ which is akin to ‘goonda tax’ paid by them. The elected members of the national and provincials assemblies from this constituency are not unaware of the situation in Ghotki. In spite of knowledge of everything, they are feigning ignorance. Even though we pay the highest tax to the government treasury, after Karachi. In spite of that, no one cares about the miserable conditions of the district.
The authorities concerned should take measures at the earliest to improve the situation. Besides, an inquiry may be ordered regarding the utilisation of funds allocated for the repair of roads and other infrastructure.
Deen Muhammad Ghoto
Published in The Express Tribune, September 11th, 2018.
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