PESHAWAR, Pakistan: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Minister for Finance Muzaffar Syed Advocate has said that after local bodies’ polls the provincial government handed over municipal and urban development affairs to elected public representatives.
He was talking to a delegation of local government representatives from Chitral, which called on here in Civil Secretariat. Former MNA Maulana Abdul Akbar Chitrali led the delegation.
The delegation besides informing the finance minister regarding financial requirements of Tehsil Administration (TMA) Chitral also discussed development schemes and matters relating to public welfare with him in detail.
The provincial minister said that after getting powers and resources, the elected local bodies’ representatives will have to prove their capabilities and win the hearts of the people through showing good performance.
He said that Finance Department is making process of the release of funds to local government institutions fast and transparent, saying that after budget session of the provincial assembly, he along with Accountant General is starting visits to accounts and audit offices across the province including Chitral.
During the visits, the provincial finance minister said besides reviewing matters of funds release and other affairs, will also collect information regarding complaints and problems of accounts offices.
The provincial finance minister said that they wanted the introduction of transparent and judicious automotive mechanism for the utilization of development and non-development funds in which the cooperation of all stakeholders is must.
In response to the problems and demands highlighted by the delegation, the provincial minister assured that second installment of Rs 57.2 million for the development schemes of TMA Chitral will be released during the current month. In this connection, he had had already issued directives.
Similarly, he also agreed with the transfer of 44 employees of District Council to TMA and given it formal approval. However, he said that instead of announcing special grant for the TMA, assured the allocation of suitable funds for it.
The minister clarified that in future instead of depending on governmental grants, local government institutions will have to utilize their local resources and internal financial means for municipal services and their development activities, which is the new policy of the government.
