Sindh Peoples Local Government Ordinance 2012

Opp leaders to get slots of deputy mayors
Going with the reconciliation mantra the ruling Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) is giving a chance to the opposition leaders in the local government elections to join the ranks of the government. In the recently promulgated the Sindh Peoples Local Government Ordinance (SPLGO) 2012, deputy mayors would be elected from the opposition, thus offering them a chance to participate in the government at the grass-root level, Pakistan Today has learnt.
The sources privy to the formation of ordinance told Pakistan Today that the provision was included just to ensure inclusion of elected representatives of the opposition parties in the provinces.
Besides, this would also ensure smooth functioning of the metropolitan corporations with the consent of all the political parties who would be given due share in the administration in their respective areas.
“The metropolitan corporation shall consist of a Mayor, or as the case may be, a deputy mayor or the leader of the opposition. The metropolitan corporation shall be competent to acquire, hold or transfer any property, movable and immovable, to enter into contract and to sue or be sued in its name, through, the chief officer of the concerned local council,” the sources told while quoting text of the said ordinance.
As per SPLGO 2012, decentralized offices and grouping of offices are: (1) “On commencement of this Ordinance, the administrative and financial authority for the management of the offices mentioned in Part-A of the First Schedule shall remain with or stand decentralized to the local councils to the extent as indicated in the said Part of First Schedule:
“Where in a district, there is no office specified in Part-B of the First Schedule, Government may set up such offices and post officers and staff in such offices.
“The offices decentralised and offices setup by Government shall be grouped in various groups and offices specified in Part-C of the First Schedule:
“The Mayor and the Chairman of the District Council may nominate any officer for the purpose of liaison between the offices of councils, Provincial Government, Federal Government and other civic agencies in case of emergencies, natural calamities and extraordinary situations.
“The councils will be at liberty to commence any activity and office through its own finances which is not decentralized including but not limited to the items mentioned in Part-E to the First Schedule. The councils will be at liberty to perform all inherent civic functions and services.”
The ordinance delivers the entrustment of certain decentralized offices to Taluka administration as in: “Subject to section 14 and section 52, on commencement of this Ordinance, the administrative and financial management of the offices of Local Government and Rural Development Department, Public Health Engineering Department and Housing and Physical Planning Department which were providing services at the regional, zonal, circle, divisional, district and Taluka levels may stand entrusted to respective Taluka Administration or Town Administration, as the case may be, alongwith the employees working in such offices:
“The authority of Metropolitan Corporations and District Councils shall comprise the operation, management and control of offices of the departments which are decentralised to it or may be set up under this Ordinance; provided that the Metropolitan Corporations and District Councils shall exercise such authority within the district in accordance with the general policy of Government.
“Every order shall be expressed to be made in the name of the Metropolitan Corporation and District Council or as the case may be other local counsils and shall be executed by an officer or authority duly authorized.
“The Metropolitan Corporation and District Council, or as the case may be other local councils, shall be responsible to the people and Government for improvement of governance and delivery of services within the ambit of the authority decentralised to it under this Ordinance.”
The Ordinance describes Mayor and Chairman as: “The Mayor, or as the case may be, the Chairman of the District Council shall be the head of the Metropolitan Corporation and District Council respectively and shall perform such functions and exercise such powers as have been assigned to them under this Ordinance. They shall be assisted by the Chief Officer.
“The Mayor, or as the case may be, the Chairman of the District Council shall ensure that the business of the local council is carried out in accordance with the provisions of this Ordinance and other laws for the time being in force.”
The functions and powers of the Mayor and Chairman of the District Council are given below: “The functions and powers of Mayor and Chairman of the District Council shall be to provide vision for the development, leadership and direction for efficient functioning of the Metropolitan Corporation and District Council; develop with the assistance of the Metropolitan Corporation and District Council, strategies and timeframe for accomplishment of the relevant goals approved by the relevant Council; ensure implementation of the functions decentralised to the local councils; oversee formulation and execution of the annual development plan, delivery of services and functioning of the local councils; present proposal to the Council for approval of budget for fiscal transfers; maintain administrative and financial discipline; present tax proposals to the Council; present report on the performance in person to the Council at least twice a year; preside over the meetings of the Mushawarat Committee; take charge, organise and prepare for relief activities in disasters or natural calamities; authorise officers to sign documents on their behalf; initiate inspections of Taluka Administration, Town Administration and Union Administration in the jurisdiction of the Metropolitan Corporation and District Councils; establish and supervise the working of the Internal Audit Office; issue executive orders to the Metropolitan Corporation, District Council and subordinate Officers for discharge of the functions; represent the local councils on public and ceremonial occasions; and perform any other function as may be assigned to them by the Corporation, Council and Government.
The Mayor and Chairman of the District Council shall not employ any advisor, special assistant or a political secretary other than support staff allocated to his office from amongst the available officials within the local council.”