Balochistan sets aside Rs16.8b for LG system

The Balochistan government has allocated a grant of Rs16.8 billion for local councils, including Rs10 billion as a development fund in the budget 2022-23 to strengthen the local government system.

In order to strengthen the local government system, the provincial government has been working for the formation of local bodies so that real power is transferred to the grassroot level.

Balochistan completed the first phase of the local government (LG) polls to elect over 6,000 general councilors.

Talking to APP an official of the provincial government said that a strong and empowered LG system would contribute to efficient work at the gross root level.

He assured government’s full support for providing the basic framework which was a pre-requisite for the success of LG system.

In all Union Councils, 33 per cent seats have been allocated for women, five percent for farmers and workers and five per cent seats for non-Muslims.

He said a strong and empowered LG would contribute to expanding the space of development projects across the province.

He said the LG institutions would be provided a basic framework which was a prerequisite for their success.

Former District Chairman of Loralai, Shams Hamzazai sharing his experience said that the LG faced financial issues throughout his tenure. In new reforms policy, the LG should be allocated fixed share of development funds for each and every district, he added. APP

Published in The Express Tribune, July 4^th, 2022.