Long overdue: Councillors decry failure to devolve powers

Councillors say several months have passed since LG polls but nothing has been done to alter their situation

MARDAN:

Councillors in Mardan have voiced concerns over the failure of the provincial government to transfer rights and powers to them. 

At a meeting organised in Rustam on Saturday, a large number of councillors said the government failed to take a series of follow-up measures. These include steps to specify their salary packages and delegate authority to lower-tiers of government.

They said several months have passed since the local government polls but nothing has been done to alter their situation.

Read: New to office: Councillors to take oath on Aug 29

“A five-member committee will be constituted to take this matter up with Chief Minister Pervez Khattak,” one of the speakers said. “The formation of this committee will ensure effective negotiations take place and councillors are in a stronger position to address problems faced by locals.”

Another speaker at the meeting criticised the government for stripping councillors of a bundle of right and privileges which they were previously entitled to.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 18^th, 2015.