Provinces demand transfer of assets

ISLAMABAD: The provinces have asked the federal government to transfer funds and assets of the ministries and divisions that are to be devolved to them once the concurrent list is abolished under the18th constitutional amendment by end June 2011.

The top officials from the federating units have also urged the federal government to make sure that no appointments are made and no policy decision taken by these ministries and divisions.

Close to two dozen state institutions are supposed to be transferred to provinces from the Centre under a provision in the amendment to abolish the concurrent list.

This was demanded by the chief ministers of all four provinces here on Thursday during a meeting chaired by Prime Minister Yousaf Raza Gilani to review the implementation status of the 18th constitutional amendment.

The meeting was also attended by members of the implementation commission and top bureaucrats from the Centre and provinces.

The chief ministers said the latest National Finance Commission (NFC) award had not catered for the additional responsibilities transferred to the provinces through devolution under the 18th amendment.

“Therefore, the funds and assets of the ministries and divisions to be devolved may also be transferred to the provinces,” an official handout said.

At least two participants of the meeting told The Express Tribune that the commission has aired its reservations about alleged attempts by bureaucracy to block the implementation on the key amendment.

Gilani, however, said that the 18th constitutional amendment is indicative of the wishes of the people of country that now needs to be translated into reality at the earliest.

He assured the provinces that federal government would extend full cooperation and support to the implementation commission which has already identified the areas and steps required to be taken to move forward.

The premier directed that ministries and departments whose responsibilities are to be devolved should sift out the matters and issues to be referred to the Council of Common Interest (CCI).

Gilani directed the federal authorities that all the policy matters related to to-be-devolved ministries are referred to the CC — a new-look institution to resolve disputes between the centre and provinces and among themselves.

The assets and the funds, he added, of the ministries and divisions to be devolved be properly handled and no action in this regard be taken without consultation with the implementation commission.

He said that certain laws, rules and regulations may require changes due to this transition.

He asked the chief ministers to ensure that the transition takes place swiftly and within the given timeframe.

Published in the Express Tribune, June18th,  2010.