Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah assured the industrialists on Wednesday that his government will resolve the issues facing by them. In a visit to the SITE Association of Industry, he also gave the assurance the association would receive grant of funds
Regarding construction of the CETP-I in the SITE Industrial Estate, the chief minister said that his government had already sanctioned funds for the project and work on it would be started as soon as the funds are released by the federal government.
He said that since the major chunk of the country's total exports is from Karachi, the federal government should use the Export Development Fund for Karachi's industrial areas in proportion to the city's contribution to the rest of the country. He asked the Commissioner of Karachi Division to look into the matter regarding the revision of the outdated system of audit and inspection of records pertaining to the consumption of stamps under the Stamp Act, 1899, by the Sindh Board of Revenue.
He said that work on the Lyari Expressway is in progress and will soon be completed. Muhammad Jawed Bilwani, president of the SITE Association of Industry gave a detailed briefing about the infrastructure problems and lack of basic facilities in the SITE Industrial Estate. He said that the industrial sector in Karachi was the main contributor to the national exchequer, besides being the largest employment provider. But this sector was not given attention in budget-making. Jawed Bilwani demanded immediate release of the allocated funds by the government of Sindh for the construction of First Combined Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP-I) in the SITE Industrial Estate out of the five approved CETPs.
After construction of CETPs in Karachi which holds the lion's share of the country's exports, Karachi will become the first environment-compliant city in Asia. He also stated that since the required land for established of the first CETP in SITE area has already been allotted, the project of CETP-I should be commenced. Bilwani called for grant of funds to the SITE Association of Industry for the uplift of the civic infrastructure, particularly roads, in the SITE Industrial Estate.
Bilwani demanded review of the outdated system of auditing and inspection of records regarding consumption of stamps under the Stamp Act, 1899 by the Sindh Board of Revenue. He called for immediate reduction in the rate of stamp duty which was increased by 100 percent on letters of credit opened by banks for imports in the Finance Bill 2014-15.
Jawed Bilwani further requested for funds to the SITE Association for construction of an Industry House on the plot adjacent to the association's building where a convention centre and exhibition hall are planned. Regarding the Karachi Circular Railway, Jawed Bilwani stressed the need to revive this mass transit project.
In his brief address, Muhammad Zubair Motiwala, former chairman of the SITE Association of Industry drew the attention of the chief minister to the higher water rates in comparison with other parts of the country. He demanded a fair water tariff for Karachi, particularly for the industry.
Siraj Kassam Teli, patron-in-chief of the SITE Association of Industry reiterated the demand for immediate release of the allocated funds by the government of Sindh for the construction of the First Combined Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP-I) in the SITE Industrial Estate. Teli asked for immediate execution of the project regarding widening of a bridge across Orangi Nallah.