LARKANA: Villages of 11 Union Councils (UCs) of Dokri Taluka are deprived of essential basic facilities including roads, gas, schools, potable water and proper drainage system. The UCs including Darra, Samtia, Wadi Wahni, Sehar, Yaroo Lakhair, Karani, Gajidero, Mohenjo Daro, Ghujhar and Vikro lack basic facilities, and villagers have been suffering from infectious diseases due to contaminated water and poor drainage system. Local Bodies system has failed miserably to resolve basic issues in Dokri, particularly in the last ten years with no development projects in the entire region. If funds were ever sanctioned to the local government, they were either misused or embezzled by the corrupt ‘mafia’. Recently elected chairmen have also failed to identify, address and resolve these core issues confronted by residents of the region. In this connection, villagers including Ghulam Sarwar Thahim, Mahmood Jhatyal, Muhammad Ibrahim Junejo, Rahib Jhatyal and others told the media that due to mismanagement and massive corruption, no development works were carried out in their respective villages for many years. They alleged that their streets were without CC Blocks, and there was no proper sewage system, and consequently sewage overflew on the streets, providing healthy environment for mosquito larvae to grow. They alleged that a monthly budget of Rs 0.5 million to each UC was spent on personal affairs without utilising it on the welfare projects for people and UC employees were also suffering due to non-payment of their monthly salaries. They urged the concerned authorities to take notice of the issues, and resolve them on the priority basis before the affected villagers take to streets. CM Murad Ali Shah appoints new vice chancellor of SMBBMU Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah has appointed Dr Aneela Attaur Rehman as the new vice-chancellor of the Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University (SMBBMU) in Larkana for a period of four years with immediate effect, according to a notification issued on Monday. However, the notification added that her appointment is subjected to the final outcome of the Constitutional Petition No: D-448/2018 currently pending adjudication in the Sindh High Court (SHC) in Karachi. Meanwhile, SMBBMU Registrar Dr Afsar Bhutto allowed Zahid Hussain Dharejo to assume charge as the director of finance department of the university with effect from Sep 10, 2018 vides his office order dated Sep 19, 2018. Dharejo has been reinstated on the directives of the SHC while the notification was issued on Sep 7, 2018 but he was denied assuming the office. Mismanagement has continued to hit hard the medical university which requires stern measures and actions by the concerned authorities. Reliable sources said that Dr Aneela was very influential and a close aide to the Sindh Health Minister and several politicians. Robbers loot cash from a trader in in Naundero In a broad daylight heist, five armed robbers looted Rs 40,000 from a hardware trader on Monday while thieves stole a motorcycle of a municipal employee Javed Mangi. Reportedly, Larkana Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) has appointed Abdul Ghafoor Chutto as the new station house officer of the Naundero police station after a significant rise has been observed in street crimes in Naundero. Meanwhile, the SHO rushed to the spot and inquired about incidents. The incidents have created unrest among members of business community and residents of the region. People have appealed to the higher authorities to formulate and implement effective policies to control street crimes. Published in Daily Times, September 25th 2018.