Panel formed to streamline LG system

Punjab govt wants strategy before elections to make local bodies more efficient

LAHORE:

Punjab government has formed a committee to make the new local government system ‘more effective and efficient’.

In its first meeting held on Tuesday, the committee reviewed the devolution of powers to the lower level. The first meeting of the committee also considered various proposals to formulate a comprehensive strategy before the local bodies elections.

Provincial Senior Minister Abdul Aleem Khan is the convener of the committee comprising the ministers of law, finance, industry and housing along with the local government secretary.

According to LG Secretary Noorul Amin Mengal, the notification of the committee had been issued with the approval of Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar.

The panel will make recommendations for the plan for making the new local government system effective with well defined powers.

The committee will recommend the number of villages in local bodies of rural areas for delimitation under the Local Government Act 2019.

The committee will approve the number of metropolitan town councils and related measures proposed by the government.

It has also been authorised to monitor the cases that may cause legal issues related to the local bodies system.

The office of the secretary local government and community development will provide support to the committee.

According to sources, Punjab government has prepared the terms of reference for the local body elections.

Amendments to the 2019 Act will be reviewed, as well as how the new local government system can be run.

Legislation, resource distribution and other factors will also be reviewed. The committee will submit its report to the provincial government.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 17^th, 2021.