Various properties of Sindh Small Industries Corporation (SSIC), including vocational training centers, have been leased out to individuals and the lease periods vary 30 to 99 years.
Since these buildings were not in use of SSIC, these have been leased out to individuals and earning received by it is to be used to cope up with the financial needs of the corporation with regard to salaries and pension as there is no mechanism to receive any amount from Finance Department of Sindh, according to a compliance report of SSIC submitted in Sindh High Court (SHC).
According to written order of SHC bench headed by Justice Salahuddin Panhwar in case related to SSIC, director of the corporation submitted the compliance report with respect to earlier orders of the court.
The court observed that the statement of Director SSIC to the effect that properties of SSIC, being not in use, have been leased out, gives rise to a question about functioning of the SSIC towards its objective i.e 'promote and develop small & cottage industries' because even an independent entity is supposed to make its objective successful, which, court added , is not to overburden it by making unnecessary employment, particularly when its properties (buildings etc) are in its own use.
The court ruled that developing small & cottage industries will justify functioning of the SSCI which will not only serve its purpose but will also bear fruit for public as well as SSCI itself.
The court observed that since the plea of leasing the building has been taken to justify an act, which, otherwise, appears at the cost of objective of the SSIC (benefit to public at large through small industries), therefore, it directed Chief Secretary Sindh to constitute a committee to examine all these properties and verify that whether these properties were leased out/allotted through an open auction or an undue favour was extended. If so would recommend legal process for an action against delinquent as well restoration of property through legal course, the court ordered.
The court also asked that whether these properties were meant for vocational training centers/institutions and directed that committee is also required to examine these buildings by deputing an officer to visit personally and examine that whether same are required for educational institutions/vocational institutes or may be used for such purpose.
Referring to compliance report of Director Finance, the court said that many buildings have been returned to Technical Education Department hence the properties which are owned by department and are under the domain of Province of Sindh, Industries Department, shall be used for industrial purpose or for education only by creating/establishing innovation centers like vocational training centers. The court ordered that this exercise shall be completed within three months with compliance report.