Uplift schemes to be carried out in consultation with legislators
The Punjab government has decided to carry out developmental schemes under the Annual Developmental Programme (ADP) in consultation with the MNAs and MPAs of the ruling party in the province.
In the meanwhile, the provincial government has stopped the implementation of the development schemes approved by the representatives of local bodies prior to the completion of their tenure on December 31, 2021. Sources said that verbal orders have been issued to the management of all local bodies, including Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation.
Following the issuance of a notification by the Punjab Local Government regarding the ADP, the administration of local bodies will start finalising development schemes in each district in consultation with MNAs and MPAs of the ruling party, sources said.
Prior to the announcement of local bodies elections scheduled in Punjab, large scale development schemes under the ADP in the metropolitan corporation, municipal corporations, district councils and tehsil councils will be completed under administrators in each district.
Instructions have also been issued for the completion of projects under the ADP which include construction and repair of drinking water lines and streets, the establishment of sewerage system, and rehabilitation and up-gradation of the existing sewerage system through the local bodies.
A plan will be issued to address the issues related to the supply of street lights and construction of cemetery walls on a priority basis, the sources said.
It should be noted that even after the premature dissolution of all local bodies in Punjab, including the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation, and their restoration by the Supreme Court, the development schemes of the local bodies were stopped because they were dominated by opposition parties.
Development schemes worth Rs1.38 billion were approved by the elected representatives of Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation after their reinstatement by the Supreme Court.
However, the Punjab Local Government Department, while imposing a 92 per cent cut on funds, allowed the implementation of only 8% development schemes worth Rs.440 million.
Mayor Sardar Naseem Khan ordered the issuance of tenders for development schemes worth Rs.440 million despite a formal protest.
However, the tenders, which were to be opened on December 29, could not be opened on the expiry of the term of the local body representatives on December 31.
Thus, the development schemes approved by the former local representatives in the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation have now been buried in the files.
Published in The Express Tribune, January 13th, 2022.