People demand deferring rents, taxes in Khairpur

SUKKUR: The tenants of properties owned by the municipal committees, town committees, municipal corporations and district councils demanded deferring two month rents and other taxes owing to economic slowdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Owing to a continuous lockdown in Sindh, the small and medium sized businesses of tailoring, haircutting, tea shops, general stores, garment shops, shoes, welding, autos spare parts, iron stores, hotels have demanded waiving the taxes, rents, utility bills and rents due to severe slowdown, saying they are having difficulty in providing two square meals for their families. He said they were not in a position to pay any of these. They said despite closure of schools, they continue to send regular fee challans.

Talking to The News, Niaz Ali Maitlo, Rahib Ali Maitlo and others apprehended anarchy in the cities if the Sindh government does not ensure fair distribution of rations to the lockdown victims. They said they had been approaching private landlords of the shops as well as different municipal corporations to consider their miseries.

Sher Muhammed Junejo, a tailor by profession, said that he had seven family members who are dependent on his work. He said similarly there are hundreds of shops of the Municipal Committee Khairpur in different markets but the chairman of the Municipal Committee has not ordered any relief in the rent with the result they are having a difficult time.

Syed Sabit Shah, a Councillor of the TMC, said that councillors of different wards will not oppose if the chairman provides relief to the tenants and withdrawal of the daily collection from the vendors selling fruit and vegetables. He said that in this time of global hardship, the tenants of the Municipal Committee, Khairpur, need support. Taluka Council Khairpur Vice Chairman Dr. Yar Muhammed Phulpoto said that there are 1,200 shops of the Khairpur Municipal Committee. There are two municipal committees including Khairpur and Gambat and 15 town committees in Khairpur. Many attempts were made to contact the Chairman Municipal Committee Khairpur Syed Amjad Shah to confirm if some relief is under consideration but he did not respond.

Meanwhile, Mayor Sukkur Barrister Arsalan Islamuddin Shaikh announced deferring charging of tax and other toll as well as one month rent of the 129 municipal corporation's flats, shops, quarters and 1,418 shops, which are the main sources of income of the municipal corporation. He also announced not to charge for one month the drainage, vendor, debris permit, water supply and other charges.

Meanwhile, the Sindhi association of North America announced to distribute one month ration among those under the lockdown. A Central Council of SANA on Tuesday met under Muhammed Ali Mahar and representative of Fund raising Committees Dr. Aijaz Turk reviewed the coronavirus situation, which has left thousands of families unemployed. They decided to distribute one month ration to the 1,500 families in Sindh through Akhuwat Foundation beginning from Badin. The committee said the Sindhis residing in America are concerned about the viral epidemic in Sindh, which has left thousands of families unemployed.