Regulatory bodies: Sindh opposes oversight transfer to ministries
Chief minister says centre did not take into account wishes of the provinces
A file photo of Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah. PHOTO: PPI
KARACHI:
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday condemned the government’s decision to give the administrative control of five autonomous regulatory bodies to related ministries.
He said that the power of placing regulatory authorities under ministries concerned lies with the Council of Common Interest (CCI) but surprisingly the prime minister took this decision, ignoring an input from the provincial governments.
“I would take up this issue with the prime minister and right now I am recording my protest.” Speaking at the NED University, he said that transfer of National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) to the ministry was put on the agenda of the CCI meeting but Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa had opposed it in writing and Sindh had also expressed serious reservations, therefore it was not taken up.
“Today I have learnt that five regulatory authorities, including OGRA, PTA, FAB, PPRA have been transferred and their administrative control has been given to their respective ministries. When a ministry would control a regulatory authority how it would be able to regulate its functions independently,” he questioned. He added this would force the people to go to courts.
Syed Murad Ali Shah said that through the media he records his protest against the decision and would also write a letter to the prime minister against it.
In response to a question, the chief minister brushed aside impression of sending Sindh IG AD Khawaja on forced leave, saying that he had applied for leave which was approved.
“As far as the issue of transferring an officer or posting another one is concerned it is the prerogative of the provincial government,” he added.
Talking about provincial Higher Education Commission, the chief minister said that he was going to make it more effective.
“It is a new body and there are some issues with the federal government on the provincial HEC for which I am seeking advice from other provinces,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 21st, 2016.
Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah on Tuesday condemned the government’s decision to give the administrative control of five autonomous regulatory bodies to related ministries.
He said that the power of placing regulatory authorities under ministries concerned lies with the Council of Common Interest (CCI) but surprisingly the prime minister took this decision, ignoring an input from the provincial governments.
“I would take up this issue with the prime minister and right now I am recording my protest.” Speaking at the NED University, he said that transfer of National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) to the ministry was put on the agenda of the CCI meeting but Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa had opposed it in writing and Sindh had also expressed serious reservations, therefore it was not taken up.
“Today I have learnt that five regulatory authorities, including OGRA, PTA, FAB, PPRA have been transferred and their administrative control has been given to their respective ministries. When a ministry would control a regulatory authority how it would be able to regulate its functions independently,” he questioned. He added this would force the people to go to courts.
Syed Murad Ali Shah said that through the media he records his protest against the decision and would also write a letter to the prime minister against it.
In response to a question, the chief minister brushed aside impression of sending Sindh IG AD Khawaja on forced leave, saying that he had applied for leave which was approved.
“As far as the issue of transferring an officer or posting another one is concerned it is the prerogative of the provincial government,” he added.
Talking about provincial Higher Education Commission, the chief minister said that he was going to make it more effective.
“It is a new body and there are some issues with the federal government on the provincial HEC for which I am seeking advice from other provinces,” he said.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 21st, 2016.