HYDERABAD, Nov 24: The DCO has taken notice of withholding of mandatory social development fund by oil exploring companies for development of areas and urged the petroleum ministry to ensure early disbursement of funds

DCO Ahmed Ali was speaking at a meeting regarding regularisation of social development fund of oil exploring companies at his office here on Monday.

He directed the representatives of oil exploring companies to ensure employment of local people and give details of the employment of locals with documentary proof in the next meeting. He said that strict instructions have been received from the government to employ locals in all companies working either in public or private sector.

He said that it was mandatory for oil exploring companies to spare certain amount for social development of their areas and according to prescribed criteria Hyderabad district owns 13 per cent share of such development fund. However, since such rules were introduced in 2007, not a single rupee had been provided to Hyderabad district, he added.

The DCO said that the Petroleum Social Development Committee (PSDC) headed by District Nazim, with himself as secretary, and two representatives from oil exploring companies as vice-chairmen, and nazims of taluka and union councils concerned as members had already been constituted but was awaiting release of due share of Social Development Fund.

He directed the management of oil companies at least to inform them of the volume of due amount to district government so that same could be get released from concerned quarter.

The DCO Hyderabad said that these companies could play a vital role in social uplift by contributing to development activities and providing employment opportunities to local people and added that this would not only be in the interest of government and local people but also for investors because they can earn respect and support from the community and administration.

The EDO Revenue Barkat Ahmed Rizvi, EDO Finance and Planning Miandad Rahojo, EDO Works and Services Masood Memon, OGDC Regional Coordinator Ashraf Ali Pathan, Ashfaque Leghari of the JJV and officers from other oil companies attended the meeting.

COMMITTEE: The DCO has constituted a Jail Reforms Committee comprising six members with assignment to improve healthy environment for prisoners. This he decided while presiding over a meeting regarding improvement of environment in jails at his office here on Monday.

DCO said that this committee consists of Additional Inspector General of Prison (AIG) Jail, EDO Revenue, HCCI representatives Masood Pervez, Amin Khatri and Arif Memon and added that it will raise funds and execute development works for brining environmental improvement in jails.

He said that at present there were unhygienic conditions in barracks with no proper facilities for drinking water, lavatories and sleeping platform for inmates which needed to be improved. He said that honourable judge of the Sindh High Court Justice Amir Hani Muslim had taken serious notice of such unhygienic condition in jails and said that it could not be ignored.

The DCO said that though government was doing its best to bring improvement in each sector including jails, but participation of philanthropists was essential to ensure the desired result.

He said that by undertaking social reforms activities in jails we can reduce crime rate in the society and convert criminals into law abiding citizens. He stressed upon each individual, and organisation to contribute in reforming organisations in its capacity so that social and development problems could be averted.

AIG Jails Ashiq Memon, superintendents of the Central Jail Hyderabad and Hyderabad District Jail and others attended the meeting.