LAHORE:US Consul General William Makaneole Monday called on Minister for Local Government & Community Development (LG&CD) Punjab Mian Mahmood-ur-Rasheed.
The minister apprised the US envoy of the new local government (LG) system in the Punjab province, saying it was a historic step towards establishment of empowered local governments. In this regard, all coalition partners have been taken into confidence, he added.
He said that another promise made with the people has been fulfilled by introducing an effective LG system. Unlike in the past, the new system would ensure devolution of powers to lower levels, he said and added that development authorities, waste management companies, PHAs, WASA, and parking companies would be subordinate to the metropolitan mayors. At the district level, health, education, social welfare, population welfare, and sports authorities would be subordinate to the district mayors, he added.
The minister said that local governments would be given full political, administrative, and financial power, adding that for the first time in the history of the province, village panchayat councils would be formed in each village which would be responsible for the local watchdog system, street-lights, sanitation and resolution of minor disputes.
He said that under the new system, a district assembly would be formed in each district, adding that the district representatives and village council representatives would use development funds according to local area priorities and would directly oversee development work.
Political Officer US Consulate General Khatijah Corey and Economic Specialist Sadaf Saad were also present.
The US consul general, while appreciating the new LG system in Punjab, said that with a view to resolve public issues at the grass-roots level, the establishment of village councils was a good idea.