| Provinces yet to convey views on LG system |
| Wednesday, 23 July 2008 | |
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While provinces have been making sweeping statements about their desire to roll back the present local government system, no administration has so far communicated this desire in the form of a substantial document that outlines the alleged problems arising out of this system and/or suggestions for an alternate system. This was stated by Chairman, National Reconstruction Bureau (NRB) Dr Asim Hussain, when asked as to what the future of the present local government system would be. “They all make speeches, but they have never given anything in [the form of a] document. NRB has asked the provinces several times to give their suggestions on paper but such proposals are still awaited for the last two months,” he added. Dr Asim told The News that an important meeting was held in Islamabad on Tuesday under the chairmanship of federal Minister for Local Government Ghulam Ahmed Bilour, and was attended by all four provinces’ principal secretaries. Delivering his address as key speaker at the meeting, the NRB chairman said that a decision has been taken to remove the flaws from this system in order to provide relief to the masses, adding, district cadre officers would be appointed and an executive magistracy system would be revived. He said that EDOs should be placed under the secretary, local government, and one should not have the power to transfer them before three years. “At present, an EDO is transferred by a city Nazim, which is wrong,” he declared. According to the NRB chairman, the federal minister suggested at the meeting that if this system was rolled back then it would become a political issue that would have to be tackled by the political parties; if this system has to be retained then some amendments have to be enacted. “The ratification of this system is the job of NRB and this will be done and sent to the cabinet for approval,” he added. Replying to a question, Dr Asim said that when the provinces were not communicating their problems on paper, how could the NRB come to know about the issues emerging out of the present local government system. He, however, added that this system enjoys protection under Sixth Schedule till 2009 and before this period no one can roll back this system. It may be recalled that official sources in the local government system still claim that three provinces have suggested the rolling back of this system, while Sindh feels that this system could be retained but with drastic amendments. Sindh Minister for Local Bodies Agha Siraj Durrani has repeatedly said that this system should be rolled back as it has failed to provide relief to the masses. Besides, the funds of city government have been curtailed due to which development works were being hampered. On a query, Dr Asim said that this system was also discussed with MQM chief Altaf Hussain. Moreover, the Sindh police, have also entered the fray, suggesting that the community police system, started by the city government, be abolished. |
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