Proposals on new local govt system sent to CM

LAHORE, April 15: A special committee headed by MNA Zahid Hamid is learnt to have submitted its proposals regarding the new local government system in the province to Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif, recommending the restoration of a separate elected system for rural and urban areas. The rural and urban areas were united by Gen Musharraf through his local government system of 2001. Previously, they stood separated under the local government system introduced by Gen Ziaul Haq in the country in 1979. Officials said the system proposed by the special committee contained 'good' things of both 1979 and 2001 local laws. If approved by the chief minister, the new law would reintroduce district councils as well as municipal and town committees, eliminating the existing district governments covering both rural and urban areas. Officials said it would entrust provincial government's "select" functions to the local councils, which were devolved under the Local Government Ordinance 2001. Devolution of power was mandatory under Article 140-A of the Constitution. And it had become more important because of the transfer of many federal functions to the provinces under the 18th Amendment, they said. They said the chief minister would give his opinion on the proposed law after a formal presentation. It may be mentioned the PML-N had started finding a new local government system that could replace the one given by the Musharraf government, soon after it assumed power in Punjab three years ago. Its then Local Government Minister Sirdar Dost Muhammad Khosa had prepared a draft law, which was thoroughly debated at different public fora. But the draft was rejected after the removal of Mr Khosa and a new committee was formed to make it afresh without letting anyone know its proceedings. Also, sources said that despite the submission of the draft for the future local council system in the province, the PML-N government did not look serious in holding the next local elections because of the prevalent 'unfavourable' conditions. Officials said under the Amended Local Government Ordinance 2001 the elections could not be announced till the end of this year. Almost all field staff normally deputed to conduct the elections were busy in the ongoing census, which would take quite some time to complete.