Usta Muhammad DC Muhammad Ramazan Palal holds open court in Khanpur, denies flood funds moved

USTA MUHAMMAD: An open court (Khuli Kachehri) was held at Goth Ghulam Nabi Khan Jamali, Khanpur, under the chairmanship of Deputy Commissioner Usta Muhammad Muhammad Ramazan Palal. It was held to hear public problems at people’s doorsteps, in line with directives from Chief Minister Balochistan Mir Sarfraz Bugti and Chief Secretary Balochistan.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ismail Lashari, Assistant Commissioner Usta Muhammad Muhammad Ramazan Ishtiaq, District Health Officer Dr Amir Ali and all other district officers attended. Political and social figures, landowners, elders, traders and citizens also came in large numbers.

Public problems and demands

Citizens pointed to a range of problems. These included prolonged power load shedding, the supply of clean water, a shortage of gas, and the lack of medicines and medical facilities in hospitals. They also cited the need to improve basic health units, a shortage of teachers and essential supplies in government schools, the installation of a filtration plant, mosquito spraying, and the sale of substandard fertiliser and seeds. Residents also demanded the construction and improvement of the Khanpur Bridge–Usta Muhammad Road via Khanpur Distillery. They further called for a school bus for students from Khanpur Bridge to the Degree College Usta Muhammad, and for better travel and communication facilities.

Landowners spoke about agricultural problems and the sale of substandard fertiliser and seeds. They stressed that the Agriculture Department should coordinate effectively to increase yields. People asked the Forest Department for as much Tree Plantation as possible to reduce the intensity of the heat. Complaints were also raised that funds for rebuilding the homes of Floods victims had allegedly been moved to another province. The Deputy Commissioner assured them that the money for flood victims’ homes had not been transferred to any other province.

Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Ramazan Palal said the purpose of open courts in remote areas was to bring all district heads before the people, so that problems could be heard directly and resolved on the spot. He said officers had been directed on the spot on a number of issues. Problems within the district’s jurisdiction would be resolved immediately, while those beyond it would be brought to the notice of senior officials in writing. He directed officers not to limit public problems to formal procedure, but to ensure practical progress.

Photos: courtesy DGPR Balochistan