CHIEF Minister Shahbaz Sharif has announced immediate abolition of Parchi system (receipt system) at taxi and rickshaw stands throughout the provincial metropolis.

He said the decision to do away with the Parchi system would provide relief to taxi and rickshaw drivers. He directed the government officers to serve the masses with dedication and address the public complaints on a priority basis.

He was talking to a delegation of rickshaw and taxi drivers and listening to the problems of the people in his camp office Miner-e-Pakistan on Sunday.

The chief minister said the contractors were charging more than the fixed fee of Rs10 from the poor taxi and rickshaw drivers in the name of Parchi system which was a grave injustice. The drivers thanked the CM for the withdrawal of Parchi system and said it will rid them of the highhandedness and exploitation of contractors. The CM said the Lahore district coordination office to evolve a policy with the consultation of rickshaw drivers for checking noise and smoke-emitting rickshaws which cause pollution and ensure its strict implementation. He said action should be taken against such rickshaws and they should not be allowed to ply on roads. A complainant from Faisalabad said that he had a land dispute and his rivals shot at and injured him while the SHO concerned was supporting them.

The chief minister inquired from the police officers present on the occasion why they did not take timely action when there was an open rivalry between two parties. He said had the police taken immediate action the accident could have been averted. He issued orders for suspension of the DSP and SHO concerned for dereliction of duty and directed the police high-ups to submit a report within a week after a thorough inquiry into the incident.

drainage: Shahbaz Sharif has urged Wasa and other institutions to perform their duties with commitment and dedication. He said that elected representatives should remain present in their constituencies during the rainy season and stand by the people in any emergency or difficult situation.