JHANG City News

Murky affairs of Jhang district govt properties
From Our Correspondent
JHANG: Even after the passage of a year, the inquiry into the outstanding rent amount, poor prosecution in retrieving possession and illegal and unauthorised use of the district government’s precious properties has not been completed so far.
The probe had been ordered by the Punjab Local Government and Community Development (LG&CD) Department in March 2014 on a public complaint, but the report has not been finalised allegedly on the pressure of local political bigwigs having interest in the state land and property matters.
Sources say the provincial authorities were informed that the district government’s precious assets had seemingly “disappeared” and the shops situated on Yousaf Shah Road, Shaheed Road, Tehsil Road and in other busy markets of the city were sublet against heavy monthly rent by tenants.
They further say a property worth billions of rupees and located in the heart of city in opposite to the DCO’s office was leased out to Jhang Club – a private entity - for social activities at the rate of Rs 1,350 per month only (as per an official document).
Also, the district council’s premises was being utilised for marriage ceremonies and other activities for Rs 10,000 / Rs 15,000 per function but the token monthly rent was not being deposited for the last few years.
The recovery of properties and financial and administrative affairs of the district government are in a mess because of poor prosecution and inefficacy.
It was stated in the complaint that according to the Local Government Ordinance 2000, a proper secretariat of the district government had been established. But the post of council officer – who should be from the Local Government Department and was responsible for managing the administrative and financial affairs – was vacant. Furthermore, the additional charge was entrusted to DO (A&B) three years back which worsened the situation.
The district government has a number of precious properties situated in different commercial markets of the city which are rented out on a nominal monthly rate against the law and policy of the government and with the connivance of the staff. Most of the tenants sublet the government shops against handsome monthly rent along with millions of rupees as goodwill money.
The properties’ lease extensions have expired and the outstanding monthly rent has run into millions, but the illegal occupants are allowed by the district government officials to retain possession.
After the completion of the tenure, the property lease / rent extension and other major financial and administrative matters should be decided by the LG&CD secretary, the local officials take decisions at district level causing huge financial loss to the exchequer.
When contacted, the council officer, Malik Muhammad Iqbal, said he had submitted a detailed report in the office of ADC who was the inquiry officer. On the other hand, ADC Babar Bashir refused to comment on the issue.