Mayor Karachi Wasim Akhtar Tuesday said Sindh government has not released funds for 15 percent increment in salaries of KMC employees announced in the budget 2019-20 whereas 5591 retired employees have been waiting for their dues since 2015.
Speaking with finance department's officers, the mayor told that there is shortfall of Rs 165 million in the head of salaries and pensions every month. Senior Director Coordination Masood Alam, Financial Adviser Riaz Khatri, Director Welfare Mehmood Baig, Law Adviser Azra Muqeem and other officials were also present on the occasion.
Akhtar said even doctors and paramedics who are combating the Covid-19 at the hospitals under administrative control of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation, are deprived of increments. "I have approached Prime Minister Imran Khan and Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah for many times but to no avail," he added.
The mayor said old, ailing women and other retired employees daily visit KMC office with a hope to get their dues cleared but the go back without getting anything as there is shortage of funds with KMC. "They served Karachi and Pakistan for so many years and now struggling for their dues, it should have not been happened, he said.
The Mayor said the shortfall in salaries is covered with revenue every month but the same has almost been finished due to lockdown. The KMC employees especially the health workers, rescue workers, fire fighters are performing their duties with courage even during the pandemic.
He was of the view that the issue of salaries was put up before the Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah during the meeting and he assured to sign the summary at the earliest. He directed finance department to take measures for increasing revenue of the department, adding municipal services bill should also be collected from the citizens.
The preparation and discussion for next year's budget was held in the meeting and the participants were told that last year's development schemes could not be completed on time due shortage of funds The amount should be allocated for completion of last year's schemes.
The participants were informed that UC chairmen and heads of KMC different departments have also suggested schemes of roads and sewerage for their areas. New schemes for KMC's parks department, general administration, municipal utility and others would be incorporated in the budget 2019-20.
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