Minister apprised of Sabzi Mandi traders' problems

KARACHI: The senior minister home and coordination, Sindh, Syed Sardar Ahmad, has assured the traders of installation of separate electricity meters at all shops of the new Sabzi Mandi and inclusion of their representatives in the Market Committee Karachi.

Talking to the traders of Wholesale Fruit and Vegetable Market, Karachi, (New Sabzi Mandi), Superhighway during his visit to the Mandi on Wednesday, Sardar Ahmad also took notice of the inadequate security in and around the market and asked the officials concerned to tighten the security system.

The traders informed the minister that despite the payment of Rs3,000 each to the Market Committee, it had so far failed to install separate meters at all shops, causing hardships to the traders in connection with the payment of power bills.

They also pointed out that the robbery incidents were increasing day by day especially at the Super Highway near the Mandi, underscoring the need of adequate security measures to save the traders and visitors of the Mandi from such incidents.

Convener of Malir Wholesale Fresh Fruits Merchants and Growers Association Muhammad Javaid requested the minster to ask the authorities concerned to lay underground electricity cables in the Mandi as they often fell on the ground, exposing the people to great danger.

He said that the Market Committee had so far failed to get the layout plan of the Mandi approved from the city government's Karachi Development Authority, urging the need of immediate approval of the plan so that the chances of alterations in the market could end.

Muhammad Javaid said that the provincial ombudsman in his report, issued three years ago, had asked the authorities concerned to take action against those who carried out financial embezzlement in the Mandi affairs, but he regretted no action had so far been taken.

He urged the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to take immediate action against those who committed corruption in the new Sabzi Mandi project and allotment process. Another trader Abdul Razzaq informed the minister that a large number of the allottees, who had paid thousands of rupees for the pieces of land in the Mandi in 1994, were still waiting for the possession of their plots.

The minister received several applications regarding grievances of the traders and assured them that their problems would be addressed within a month. Agriculture Minister Arif Jatoi, Home Secretary Anwar Ahmad, Secretary Agriculture Aftab Memon and officials of Market Committee Karachi were also present.