HYDERABAD, Nov 22: The Sindh High Court, Hyderabad circuit bench, on Monday issued pre-admission notices to the secretary and additional chief secretary, local government, secretary, finance Dadu district nazim , DCO, taluka nazim and other officials of the local government and district services and works department on a petition.

The petition alleged interference of the district nazim and the DCO in authority of the Dadu taluka nazim. The taluka nazim prayed the court to declare notifications issued by the additional chief secretary of the local government and the DCO null and void.

The petitioner accused the respondents of violating mandatory provisions of the Sindh Local Government Ordinance, 2001, by causing hindrances in working of the taluka nazim.

He maintained that under sections 15 and 52 of the SLGO, functions, administration and financial management of offices of the local government, rural development department, public health engineering, housing and physical planning departments at regional, zonal, circle, divisional, district and taluka were to be devolved at the taluka municipal administration level along with control of their employees and assets. Municipal services and development works within limits of taluka were also to be executed by the TMA.

He alleged that due to illegal acts of the respondents, people were facing difficulties in getting their grievances redressed. He said offices and accounts of the public health and engineering department had not been transferred to the TMA.

Schemes of drainage, water supply, sanitation and streets' developments and roads were being executed by the district nazim, DCO and EDOs of finance and works departments though they were not authorized to undertake the schemes as they were to provide funds for the schemes to the TMA. He also alleged the use of substandard material in the development works.

The petitioner said the TMA had no representation in the District Support Unit, formed by the additional chief secretary, local government, on March 16, 2002. He alleged that the executive engineer was exercising financial powers illegally.

He said despite provision of section 140 of the SLGO specifying that the district advisory committee should meet once in three months to redress people's complaints and approve schemes, the DCO and the nazim were not holding the committee's meeting due to which matters relating to water supply schemes, drainage and other schemes were being delayed. He prayed the court to direct the respondents to comply with provisions of the SLGO.