The politically appointed Chairmen and Trustees of the Improvement Trusts across Punjab have been relieved with immediate effect. Disclosing this, in a press communiqué, Local Government Minister Navjot Singh Sidhu categorically said that he has taken this decision to ensure greater transparency and efficiency in the working of these Trusts. He said that the trusts will now be headed by Administrators (Deputy Commissioners/SDMs) appointed by the Government till further orders.Mr. Sidhu also intervened effectively to address the issues of stoppage of ongoing development works in different parts of the state and directed the Department to issue clarification. A written communication has been sent to all field officers in this regard.The Minister has directed the engineering wing of the Department to conduct surprise inspections and get third party audit of these works carried out to ensure quality in the execution of these works.