Report urges more public participation in Jhelum

Over 115 jobs are vacant in the district

JHELUM: There is a greater need to involve the public while formulating the budget of the district Jhelum. This was stated in a report on budgeting processes in Punjab.

The report had been presented in a consultation session organised by the Centre for Peace and Development Initiatives (CDPI) and Aman Development Foundation with support from the district government and Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation. The session was held at the Jinnah Hall in Rawalpindi.



A large number of district representatives, officials from the district council and the municipal corporation as well as members of civil society participated in the session. A survey report on the budgeting process at the district level was presented during the session.

According to the report, budgeting in Punjab took into account various aspects such as the inclusion of the public and transparency in the budgeting process.

The report indicates that there was an improvement over the past year but the inclusion of the public in the budgeting process remains disappointing. The call letters for the budget were released with delays. There was no consultation with key stakeholders. Only five of the districts have a functional website while over 115 jobs are vacant in the budget branches at the district level.



CIPD has demanded that the authorities ensure full implementation of Budget Rules 2017 according to which inclusion of public opinion is necessary for the budgeting process so that transparency is maintained. The first draft of the next fiscal year should be presented by April so that recommendations of the citizens can be incorporated on time.

While presenting the highlights of the survey, CPDI Budget Study Center Coordinator Faisal Munir said that local governments have failed to include all stakeholders in the budgeting process.