Louder than words: Development budget to be equally divided among districts: Inayatullah
LG minister says rules of business will be officially handed over later this week
Minister for Local Government Inayatullah Khan. PHOTO: IQBAL HAIDER/EXPRESS
PESHAWAR:
A unique system for running local governments is being introduced in the province, said K-P Local Government and Rural Development Minister Inayatullah Khan. “I hope other provinces are able to follow the example set up by K-P,” he added.
“The development budget will be equally divided among all district governments without any discrimination.” Inayatullah said this at Monday’s opening ceremony of a two-day orientation workshop for district nazims held at a hotel in the city. Around 22 district nazims from across the province participated.
Minister for Higher Education and Information Mushtaq Ghani, Minister for Finance Muzaffar Said, Chief Secretary Amjad Ali Khan and other senior government and international organisation officials were also present at the workshop.
Rule of business
Inayatullah said the rules of business are almost ready and will be handed over to district nazims later in October.
“The rules will be amended if a district nazim suggests a change,” he added. Four nazims will be elected by the nazims themselves, who will present their recommendation to the Provincial Finance Commission.
He emphasised nazims should value the fact that they were elected. “People have put all their confidence in you. Indeed this is a great honour and privilege,” he said. Inayatullah added the people have done their bit by voting and it was now the nazims’ responsibility to leave no stone unturned to serve their respective areas.
Need-based assessment
Inayatullah instructed the local representatives to use development funds wisely. “About 30% of the developmental budget will be made available to you, which is a lot more than what nazims have received in the past,” he said. “This means you have to be extra careful, and follow the guidelines for planning and development responsibly.”
He advised nazims to do need-based assessments and make their own development plan according to what the people in their area demand. The LG minister suggested representatives hold a local poll to approve their development plan. Speaking on the occasion, Ghani said, “We have fulfilled our promise of devolving power, and made you—and ourselves—accountable to the province.” The information minister added the government was going to ensure good governance through transparency, without political interference in bureaucracy.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 6th, 2015.
A unique system for running local governments is being introduced in the province, said K-P Local Government and Rural Development Minister Inayatullah Khan. “I hope other provinces are able to follow the example set up by K-P,” he added.
“The development budget will be equally divided among all district governments without any discrimination.” Inayatullah said this at Monday’s opening ceremony of a two-day orientation workshop for district nazims held at a hotel in the city. Around 22 district nazims from across the province participated.
Minister for Higher Education and Information Mushtaq Ghani, Minister for Finance Muzaffar Said, Chief Secretary Amjad Ali Khan and other senior government and international organisation officials were also present at the workshop.
Rule of business
Inayatullah said the rules of business are almost ready and will be handed over to district nazims later in October.
“The rules will be amended if a district nazim suggests a change,” he added. Four nazims will be elected by the nazims themselves, who will present their recommendation to the Provincial Finance Commission.
He emphasised nazims should value the fact that they were elected. “People have put all their confidence in you. Indeed this is a great honour and privilege,” he said. Inayatullah added the people have done their bit by voting and it was now the nazims’ responsibility to leave no stone unturned to serve their respective areas.
Need-based assessment
Inayatullah instructed the local representatives to use development funds wisely. “About 30% of the developmental budget will be made available to you, which is a lot more than what nazims have received in the past,” he said. “This means you have to be extra careful, and follow the guidelines for planning and development responsibly.”
He advised nazims to do need-based assessments and make their own development plan according to what the people in their area demand. The LG minister suggested representatives hold a local poll to approve their development plan. Speaking on the occasion, Ghani said, “We have fulfilled our promise of devolving power, and made you—and ourselves—accountable to the province.” The information minister added the government was going to ensure good governance through transparency, without political interference in bureaucracy.
K-P Chief Secretary Amjad Ali Khan said, “You have to play a key role in streamlining things at the district level to make local authorities accountable and ensure the government works in an efficient manner,” he said. “We have set up a system which will monitor your activities,” he said to the nazims at the orientation session.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 6th, 2015.