KARACHI, March 31: Non-devolution of industrial homes to a relevant department of the city district government has been affecting such institutes' working seriously, resulting also in mismanagement.

There are 69 industrial homes functioning in different parts of the city, which were supposed to be devolved to the CDGK's literacy department following the introduction of the devolution system. However, these are still under the administrative control of the district officer (education) of local bodies.

Non-implementation of the SLGO 2001 provisions pertaining to the devolution of the industrial homes has also created confusion about their funding source. Due to this and some other factors, the physical condition of the buildings housing the industrial homes was deteriorating while machinery and equipment being used there were getting damaged.

An official of the CDGK, requesting anonymity, said on Wednesday that the DO (education) was reluctant to give these facilities under the literacy department for unknown reasons.

He pointed out that the SLGO clearly stated that the industrial homes previously run by district councils would be run by literacy department of the city district government.

He recalled that the facilities had been given under the administrative control of the DO because the literacy department was in the process of its establishment at the time of the inception of the CDGK. Following the completion of the process, he added, the department had sought control of the industrial homes, but the DO had declined to oblige it.

"There are some vested interests out to creating hurdles in this regard, otherwise, the DO could not reject the CDGK authorities' order," the official observed.

The DCO Karachi has twice issued letters to the DO asking him to transfer the industrial homes to the literacy department, but to no avail, he claimed. The official pointed out that the DO's local bodies wing was already over-burdened with management and inspection of 5,000 schools previously run by the now defunct KMC. It appeared cumbersome for the LB wing to ensure regular visits to these industrial homes as an additional responsibility.

Referring to the mismanagement at the industrial homes, he said that this could be gauged from the fact that there was no record of or information about the funds released by the provincial government for the procurement of vehicles and essential equipment for these facilities.

He revealed that the funds released for the renovation of the buildings housing the industrial homes, had been utilized under some other heads not even mentioned in the record. -PPI