Cutting through red tape? Approval for community driven projects to pick up pace

Implementation of CDLD currently in pilot phase in Malakand

PESHAWAR: Senior Minister for Local Government, Elections and Rural Development Inayatullah Khan reaffirmed his support for community-driven local development (CDLD). Chairing the progress review meeting, Inayatullah said implementation of CDLD was a key priority.

This was stated in a handout issued on Wednesday. It was recognised the CDLD policy implementation made significant strides since November 2015 when policy implementation unit for CDLD was established in the Local Government, Elections and Rural Development department.



According to the document, the senior minister was briefed about the number of approved projects – 562, of which 192 project agreements were signed.

Some implementation-level challenges also came under discussion. The meeting called for speeding up efforts for proposed development projects and their approval. Participants agreed to expedite these processes so the goal of 1,795 projects for fiscal year 2015-16 could be met.

On the topic of involving elected local representatives in CDLD policy implementation, Inayatullah said a working paper has been drafted for discussion and deliberation for stakeholders.

“We are aware of the significance of community participation and citizen empowerment that can ensure a strong local governance system in the province,” the document quoted the minister as saying.

“Therefore, it is our foremost priority to ensure the successful implementation of CDLD policy in Malakand Division as a pilot project, which can then be expanded to other regions of the province,” he added.

Other senior LG Elections and Rural Development department officials, the Malakand commissioner, district nazims of the CDLD pilot areas, representatives of the Pakistan Army and CDLD programme team members attended the meeting.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 18^th,  2016.