KDA's Status Still Quite Ambiguous

[Salman]

The official status of the defunct Karachi Development Authority (KDA) remained undefined as authorities concerned appeared reluctant to restore the authority despite restoration of Sindh Local Government Ordinance (SLGO) - 1979, sources told Business Recorder.

Although a KDA official said that the Supreme Court (SC) had directed the Commissioner Karachi to review the demands of the authority's employees regarding the restoration of KDA. The authorities concerned were reluctant to comply with the orders of the apex court. KDA employees had filed a case for the restoration of KDA after the promulgation of SLGO-1979, requesting the Supreme Court to restore KDA in accordance with the KDA Order of 1957.

Sources in KDA told this correspondent that most of the newly appointed or promoted staff of KMC were being posted/adjusted against posts meant for KDA staff which was in violation of rules and regulations; depriving the KDA staff of their legitimate rights. "This is not only a financial burden on KDA but also an injustice with KDA employees," they added.

Official said that a post of District Officer (HRM) should be created for defunct KDA Wing to deal with matters of KDA staff and a person well-versed with KDA rules should be posted immediately. Sources said that functions of the Karachi Development Authority (defunct), which were devolved to the defunct City District Government Karachi, were now in limbo after the revival of KMC.

At present, KDA employees are functioning without any umbrella and financial support. He said all illegal promotions/appointments of KMC staff against posts of defunct KDA Wing should be immediately cancelled and all such staff should be posted back to KMC. Ashfaq Chisti, General Secretary KDA CBA, urged the Supreme Court to take suo motu action on this issue. He said that more than Rs 5 billion of KDA had been transferred to an account of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation.