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Directive to trace Rs 500m collected by E&T dept between 1972 and '96

KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Labour, Dewan Mohammad Yousuf Farooqui, has directed that an estimated amount of Rs. 500 million collected by the Excise and Taxation Department from 1972 to 1996 be traced and in this respect formed a committee under the convenership of the secretary of the Board of Management, Sindh Workers Children Education Cess.

The directive was issued at a briefing to the minister on the introduction, scope and progress of Sindh Workers' Children Education Cess, which is a newly-created organisation in the folds of Labour and Transport Department, at his office here on Monday.

The minister was informed that the board has constituted tripartite committees for different segments of its functions like education facilities, finance and purchase, administrative management, school management and education management council.

It was informed that the package for educational facilities have been chalked out for the first time for the provision of text books, tuition fees, scholarships and school uniforms to the workers' children in the province.

The workers, who are employed in an industrial and commercial establishment and salary not exceeding Rs. 3000 are entitled for free education to their children.

It was stated that the education cess collected by the Excise and Taxation Department from 1972 to 1996 estimated to about Rs. 500 million was untraceable, which should be retrieved. For this a committee was formed under the convenership of the secretary of the board.

Meanwhile, the minister appreciated austerity in the administrative expenses.

The minister also decided that out of three model schools constructed for workers' children, one at Hyderabad will be run by Pakistan Army and the other two-one each at Karachi and Sukkur Ñ will be run by Education Management Council of Sindh Workers Children Education Cess, and directed to finalise recruitment and procurement of furniture and equipment for model schools.

He eulogised the efforts of Sindh Workers' Children Education Cess for providing education to workers' children in Sindh.

Sindh Secretary, Labour and Transport, Ghulam Sarwar Khero, also attended the briefing. APP