Judicial commission directs Sindh secretary health to install incinerators

KARACHI: The judicial commission, probing non-provision of clean drinking water, sanitation and healthy environment to the people of the province, on Friday directed the secretary health to give timeline for installation of incinerators, completion of rehabilitation of district and taluka headquarters hospitals, schemes pertaining to clean drinking water and drainage within the hospital.

The commission headed by Justice (retd) Amir Hani Muslim observed that non compliance will expose secretary health to contempt of court proceedings. The commission took exception over appointment of consultants, non-appointment of project directors in government run hospitals and health related projects and the frequent transfers and postings in the health department.

The commission directed secretary health, director general health to explain the position with regard to frequent transfers and postings in violation of the Supreme Court’s judgment. The commission also received a NAB complaint regarding misuse of powers by the administration of the Jamshoro thermal power station. The deputy commissioner Jamshoro submitted that effluent from the power plant was contributing to waterlogging which has caused damage to the agriculture lands. He said a case under anti terrorism act was registered against the administration following farmer's protest.

The CEO of the Jamshoro thermal power station said the effulent from the plant was being used for agriculture purposes. The commission directed the secretary ministry of energy to appear and explain whether the effluent by the thermal plant was being released after treatment and could that be allowed to spread over the locality and drained in the irrigation canal.

Responding to payment of salaries to the employees of the local government, the Chief Secretary submitted that proposal for release of salaries directly to the employees of the local government will be finalized within three months.

The secretary education submitted that by June 2018, 4,078 schools will be provided clean drinking water. The commission directed the secretary education to submit the work plan by the next date of hearing.

The DG Sindh Solid Waste Management Board submitted the 2,894 employees of district east and south were transferred to the board but they were not reporting for their duties. Besides, they have rendered bio-metric attendance system non-operational, he said.

The commission also directed the secretary local government to approach the appropriate forum to ensure that governance is improved and the employees who were transferred and placed at its disposal are utilized by the board. The commission adjourned the hearing till March 20.