HMC mum on list of officers facing corruption charges

Sindh interim govt had given two days to respond but seven days have passed with no progress

HYDRABAD:

The Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (HMC) authorities have failed to provide the lists of officers facing corruption charges to the interim Sindh government.

The caretaker government had instructed municipal authorities in Hyderabad to compile lists of officers who were facing legal proceedings, including cases with NAB, Anti-Corruption, and FIA, or officers who engaged in corrupt practices in any form. These lists were supposed to be sent within two days, but municipal authorities have not yet completed the lists even after spending seven days.

When the municipal commissioner sought response from department heads, some officers did not reply. In response to their lack of cooperation, the municipal commissioner issued a warning letter to the concerned department heads and informed the Sindh government about the officers who were not responding to the request.

The letter, which was initially sent on September 8, 2023, outlined that officers facing legal proceedings or inquiries had to be listed on a specific form within two days.

However, even after seven days, the work to prepare such lists has not yet begun.

The Secretary Hyderabad Development Authority instructed various department heads to compile lists of officers working under their respective departments. These lists included the names of chief engineer HDA, director planning and development control, MD WASA, project director land department, director finance and commercial tax WASA, load department, deputy director audit and accounts, and all executive engineers.

The municipal commissioner issued a strict letter on September 15, with the permission of Mayor Kashif Ali Shoro. This letter expressed disappointment that despite seven days have passed, the heads of various departments in HMC have not responded to the request. Consequently, they have been instructed to provide the requested details of the officers immediately.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 16^th, 2023.