UC chairmen left holding manhole covers

KARACHI:

The metropolitan city's 246 Union Committee (UC) chairmen have suddenly been saddled with a heavy responsibility. The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), under Mayor Murtaza Wahab, has announced a monthly allocation of Rs100,000 per UC-a total of Rs.25 million-for repairing manholes and fixing streetlights.

The move, critics say, is KMC's way of washing its hands of one of the city's most dangerous problems. From now on, if a manhole causes an accident, the blame will fall squarely on the UC chairman.

Payments have already begun, with KMC insisting that chairmen ensure transparent use of funds and full accountability. While some UC chairmen welcomed the decision, many expressed concern, calling the amount insufficient for the scale of the crisis.

The decision comes in the shadow of public outrage after a tragic incident in Gulshan?e?Iqbal, where a child fell into an open manhole and died.