There is a problem of distribution of powers among commissioners, deputy commissioners and administrators in Sindh, as implementation of the 1979 local government (LG) law hangs in the balance.
After comprehending the seriousness of the issue, Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Qaim Ali Shah constituted a nine-member committee comprising the law minister, LG minister, chief secretary, LG secretary, law secretary, finance secretary, two members of the Muttahida Qaumi Movement and one member of the Pakistan Muslim League-Functional.
This committee would discuss the problems concerning the implementation of the 1979 LG law, and suggest proposals and recommendations to the CM within a week. The committee would start functioning immediately – from Thursday, April 19 (today).
In a meeting held at the CM House on Wednesday, commissioners and deputy commissioners of the province demanded the CM to ensure implementation of the 1979 LG law.
The meeting was also attended by Law and Prisons Minister Ayaz Soomro, LG Minister Agha Siraj Durrani, Finance Minister Murad Ali Shah, Chief Secretary Raja Muhammad Abbas, Senior Board of Revenue (BoR) Member Shahzor Shamoon, Advocate General Abdul Fatah Malik, Law Secretary Ghulam Nabi Shah, LG Secretary Ali Ahmed Lund, Finance Secretary Naveed Kamran Baloch, CM’s Secretary Agha Jan Akhtar and others.
The CM said that after the 2001 LG law, the 1979 law was enforced across the country, whereas a policy needs to be framed in the light of that law.
He said that there are some issues regarding the duties of the officers of different tiers of the LG department.
He asked what the roles and duties of the commissioners, deputy commissioners and LG officers, namely the administrators, were in the light of the authority and development works.
The LG secretary elaborated the aspects, functioning and administrative powers in the light of the 1979 LG law.
He said that the commissioners and deputy commissioners possess the controlling powers, whereas the government could appoint any person or officer as an administrator in the various local councils.
He suggested that administrators be posted from the LG department, as the department could cater to the needs of the people.
Later, the LG minister, finance minister, law minister, chief secretary, senior BoR member, advocate general, law secretary, finance secretary, commissioners of Karachi, Hyderabad, Larkana, Sukkur and Mirpurkhas, and deputy commissioners of Tando Allahyar and other districts discussed the matter in detail, and gave their views and suggestions and stressed that the 1979 LG law be fully implemented.
The CM said that the law is quite clear regarding controlling authorities for local councils, whereas the matter pertaining to administrators and implementation on development schemes is to be finalised, for which issues pertaining to some formalities are to be resolved.
Qaim’s committee to remove kinks in implementation
