HYDERABAD, Oct 9: The DCO has directed the market committee to remove its illegal check-posts on main roads of the district because establishment of check-posts is not included in the agreement between the market committee contractor and the agriculture department.

Presiding over a meeting of representatives of the Hyderabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry at the Shahbaz Hall on Saturday, DCO Mohammad Hussain Syed said there were complaints against illegal collection of taxes from farmers at these check-posts.

He directed officers concerned to evolve a strategy for the market committee to collect taxes directly, instead of auctioning the recovery as proposed by members of the HCCI.

Referring to problems of traffic jams due to encroachments, dilapidated condition of roads and heaps of garbage, the DCO directed the management of the market committee to remove encroachments and garbage, repair roads, introduce one-way traffic and improve the drainage system to ensure smooth flow of traffic at the fruit and vegetable market.

He also directed the EDO, works and services, to repair the road leading to the Gharib Nawaz bridge. He further said henceforth people responsible for throwing garbage on roads should be challaned in the court.

Endorsing a demand of the HCCI about reducing transfer fee for plots in the Site area, the DCO said the Sindh government was considering to reduce the fee to an affordable level.

He informed the meeting that the district government had recommended to the Sindh government to allot 300 acres of land situated near the Zeal Pak Cement Factory for establishment of an export processing zone like the one in Karachi.

Mr Syed asked industrialists to set up water treatment plants at their units to avoid disposal of untreated and toxic water into the Phulelli Canal.

He said separate drainage lines were being laid to divert effluent from the Phulelli Canal.

He directed the management of the Workers' Welfare Board of Hyderabad Site to prepare a feasibility report for establishment of a college and a sports complex for children of workers.

The DCO ordered the EDO, revenue, to identify land for construction of seven sports stadiums, being funded by the federal government.

He constituted a committee to resolve problems of traders pertaining to publicity boards, dangerous items, drainage and sewerage and parking fees.

SEED GRADERS: The Sindh agriculture department is providing wheat seed graders and zero tillage seed drills to farmers at subsidized rates.