K-P to remove lacunae in laws

Provincial cabinet approves Local Government Act 2019

PESHAWAR:

To remove the discrepancies in different provincial laws, the government on Monday directed all departments to propose necessary amendments in these legislations.

This was directed by Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) Chief Minister Mahmood on Monday as he presided over a meeting of the provincial cabinet.

The chief minister said that amendments to remove lacunas in different laws will help improve governance.

CM Mahmood further directed all those departments, which have yet to formulate rules under their new laws, to expedite the process and submit them to the provincial cabinet for approval.

Terming the promotion of the construction and housing sectors as the top priority of his government, Mahmood said that the sectors will create employment opportunities amidst the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic, which has hit the provincial economy hard.

The chief minister also directed to devise a comprehensive strategy to protect agricultural lands. He also appreciated the K-P Mineral Development Department for generating revenues worth Rs3.25 billion this year, noting that they increased by Rs1.15 billion in the fiscal year 2019-20 when compared to the last fiscal year.

While briefing the media about the decisions taken in the provincial cabinet meeting, Advisor to the Chief Minister on Information Ajmal Wazir said that it had formally approved the necessary amendments to the Local Government Act 2019.

The changes will make the cumbersome process of obtaining no-objection certificates (NoCs) and approval of building plans for private housing schemes much easier. The move, he hoped, will encourage the private sector to invest in the region.

Similarly, the rights of consumers and private investors will be protected through these amendments.

Wazir further said that the cabinet has approved a mechanism to sign Memorandum of Understandings in the public sector. Under the new mechanism, he said that seeking the cabinet’s approval for MoUs involving financial implications for the government has been made mandatory.

However, MoUs which only involve technical assistance can be approved by the chief minister. The cabinet has also approved the proposed amendments in K-P Mines and Minerals Act, 2017.

Further, a move to handover the Chitral-Ayun-Bumburet road to the K-P Communication and Works Department was also approved. The cabinet also approved the appointment of Professor Tasbihullah as the Higher Education Research and Training director.

Similarly, the Departmental Development Working Party’s (DDWP) approval scope was enhanced from Rs100 million to Rs200.

The meeting also decided to constitute a cabinet committee to improve the proposed K-P Healthcare Service Providers and Facilities (Prevention of Violence and Damage to Property) Act, 2020.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 7^th, 2020.