Public service: Chief minister calls for reform in LDA

Shahbaz Sharif approves the reorganisation of LDA’s governing body, appoints Khawaja Ahmad Hasaan as vice chairman.

LAHORE:

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Sunday approved the appointment of Khawaja Ahmad Hasaan as the vice chairman of the Lahore Development Authority. He also gave formal approval for the reorganisation of the LDA’s governing body.

Sharif gave the go ahead for the preparation of the 2035 master plan for Lahore. He said the plan must provide for public transportation, traffic, water supply, sanitation and drainage. “A strict accountability system needs to be devised to root out corruption in the authority,” he said, “Stern action must be taken against corrupt officials. Their cases should be forwarded to the Anti-Corruption Department.”

The Planning and Development Board chairman, the local government secretary, the housing secretary, the special finance secretary, the Lahore commissioner, the LDA director general, WASA managing director and the TEPA managing director attended the meeting.

Sharif said there was need for reform in the LDA. He also stressed the need to evolve a comprehensive and effective system to purge the authority of corruption. “Progress should be achieved early in this regard,” he said.

Training workshops should be held to improve the capacity of town planners, he said.

He also granted approval for setting up separate commissions for disposal of disputes regarding illegal buildings and housing schemes between the authority and citizens. He said the committee headed by the P&D Board chairman should submit recommendations in this regard in seven days.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21^st, 2013.