LAHORE – The Punjab government has abolished the posts of four executive district officers (EDOs) and three deputy district officers (DDOs) from the district administration, Pakistan Today has learnt. The move is a part of the review and rationalisation of departments initiated by the Punjab government. Punjab chief minister constituted a cabinet committee, headed by Sardar Zulfiquar Khosa to spearhead the rationalisation process, and abolished a total of 234 posts of EDOs and DDOs on the committee’s recommendations.
As many as 36 posts each of EDO (IT), EDO (R) and EDO (law) have been abolished while 36 posts of EDO (literacy) will be merged with EDO (education). Furthermore, 18 posts of DDO (registration), 36 each of DDO (staff) and DDO (coordination) have also been removed.
A senior government officer said there were more than a million employees working in various district and tehsil administrations across Punjab, adding to the financial burden of the already ‘cash-starved’ province. “It is obvious that the model is unsustainable and we need to shed some weight to achieve efficiency and sustainability. The current move is also a part of the same rationalisation of departments and employees. The committee has also proposed salary cuts in addition to abolishing posts,” he added.
However, many senior government officials revealed that the government was only considering making amendments in the existing local government (LG) system instead of introducing an entirely new ordinance. “The Punjab government has already had several exercises in formulating a revised local government law, with the most recent proposal already lying with the chief minister for approval, but the government seems more interested in retaining the old system with slight amendments and the current move is also a part of the same strategy,” they said.
Rationalisation is must the structures of department should be lean but effective .
faruq siddiki LGD
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