By FAZAL HAQ
Mardan: Secretary Local Government Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Zafar Ul Islam chaired an open court (Kuli Katcheri) at the Tehsil Municipal Administration (TMA) Mardan, where citizens raised 52 complaints related to municipal services and administrative matters.
According to officials, 30 complaints were resolved on the spot, while a one-week deadline was set for addressing the remaining 22 complaints. Issues raised by citizens included faulty streetlights, sanitation, maintenance of parks, arrangements at fairs, problems faced by TMA employees, allotments in TMA Colony, and the growing issue of stray dogs in the city.
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The open court was attended by Wasif Ur Rehman, Secretary Local Council Board Waheed Ur Rehman, Chief Executive Officer WSSCM Shahid Khan, and other relevant officers, who listened to public concerns and issued directives for their resolution.
During the proceedings, the secretary ordered the formation of an inquiry committee under the chairmanship of the deputy commissioner to review allotments in TMA Colony made to retired employees, as well as those allegedly issued on the basis of favouritism. The committee has been directed to submit its report within 15 days.
He also ordered an audit of the Rs400 million allocated for streetlights in Mardan and directed that all non-functional streetlights across the city be made operational within two weeks. He warned that strict action would be taken against officers responsible for any delays.
Elected local government representatives raised concerns over the non-availability of funds. In response, the secretary said consultations were underway with the Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and the provincial minister for local government, adding that a meeting between the chief minister and local government representatives would be arranged soon.
The secretary also directed the immediate removal of obstacles in the construction of a sewerage treatment plant being developed in six union councils of Mardan city. Additionally, a committee headed by the secretary of the Local Council Board was constituted to review the upgradation process of TMA electrician staff.
On the occasion, an elected chairman from Qaziabad appreciated the sanitation campaign launched by the Local Government Department in rural areas, to which the secretary said further steps would be taken to enhance the project’s effectiveness.
Addressing the shortage of staff at the Water and Sanitation Services Company Mardan (WSSCM), the secretary urged local government representatives to jointly launch a recovery drive to collect outstanding dues of Rs21 million from consumers. He said the recovered funds would be used to recruit staff on a daily-wage basis to strengthen the sanitation system.
Regarding a complaint about a fair near the Bijli Gar Railway Crossing, the secretary directed the regional municipal officer to conduct a detailed inquiry and submit a report within 15 days.
