LG minister says Local Government Commission to meet in October PHOTO: ONLINE
Briefing the media at Peshawar Press Club’s Guest Hour, the provincial minister said Rs144.42billion was allocated for local bodies of which Rs 102.38 billion would be spent on salary and non-salary expenses. The remaining Rs42.04 billion would be spent on development works in all districts.
He shared that in 24 districts, 39,806 members were elected. However, polls were suspended in Kohistan and some union councils of Bannu and Upper Dir.
On October 15, a provincial finance commission of 12 members was notified through Section 51 of the Local Government Act 2013. It will comprise the minister for finance, minister for local government, two MPAs nominated by the chief minister and opposition leader, four secretaries, two elected district nazims and as many tehsil nazims.
The minister said Rs2 million would be released for every village council with a population of 2,000 with an extra Rs0.5million being added to this figure.
Inayatullah shared the Local Government Commission was also notified on October 13. He added Rules of Business for the district, tehsil/town and village councils would be finalised and published soon as would model bylaws on procedures for the district government.
Inayatullah stated a meeting of the Local Government Commission would be held on October 27 or 28. The minister said the training of district nazims has started through supporting organisations, and the process would subsequently be extended to other cadres of the local government.
Inayatullah requested LG members utilise all development funds for the welfare of the people.
To a question, the minister denied reports that newly elected nazims were given transfer and posting powers of officials of BPS 1 to 16. He added even ministers never enjoyed such authority.
He said the Abbottabad nazim had promoted some officials and this matter was being investigated as such a move was not within his powers. The Abbottabad nazim and naib nazim had been barred from an event in Nathiagali earlier in October on the directives of the CM.
To another question, the provincial minister who belongs to the Jamaat-e-Islami, said his party had no objection to Qaumi Watan Party’s rejoining the coalition government. He said Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government had made this decision after consulting all stakeholders.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 23rd, 2015.
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