Govt allocates Rs2.5b for urban development

Ministers says LG polls in Balochistan to be held in summer

QUETTA: Senior Minister for Local Governments Saleh Bhootani has said the provincial government is focusing on uplifting urban areas and has allocated Rs2.5 billion to purchase heavy machinery for cleaning cities in Balochtan.

“We have allocated Rs2.5 billion for urban development programme. Under the programme, heavy machinery would be purchased in order to maintain cleanliness in major cities of Balochistan,” Bhootani said on Friday while addressing a news conference in Khuzdar.

He said many major cities including Khuzdar are going to be declared as metropolitan while a new local government system would be unveiled in coming months. “In this regard, legislation is under way.”

He urged the local government officers to work as public servants adding that honest and diligent officers would be appreciated in the local government department. “The local government is the only platform through which we could revamp urban governing system and town planning.”

The minister announced holding of local government elections in Balochistan in summer. “Right now many people have migrated from their areas due to winter. These people would return by summer.”

He said a check and balance mechanism is being introduced in the local governments.

“The incumbent government is working on good governance and merit. The public money would be spent on public development. We would strictly monitor the development schemes.

“We seek to address public issues at their doorsteps,” he said.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 20^th, 2020.