Punjab Assembly adopts local body system bill

F.P. Report

LAHORE: Punjab Assembly on Tuesday has passed the Punjab Local Government Bill 2019.

According to details, the provincial assembly also passed the Punjab Villages Panchayats and Neighborhood Councils Bill 2019.

Under the new bill, the tenure of the local governments would be of four years, while the elections on Tehsils and Municipal levels will be held on party basis.

Meanwhile, the opposition protested the rejection of amendments and raised slogan in the House. They [Opposition Members] also tore down the copies of the agenda.

Later, talking to media outside the Punjab Assembly, Leader of Opposition in Punjab Assembly Hamza Shahbaz hinted at approaching the court and said that the mandate of common people has ended.

Earlier today, Punjab Chief Minister (CM) Usman Buzdar had summoned a parliamentary party meeting at 01:00 PM for the approval of the local government act.

It had further been learnt that the bill will be forwarded to Punjab Governor Chaudhry Muhammad Sarwar today after approval from the assembly.

On April 10, Prime Minister Imran Khan had approved the draft of Punjab’s new local bodies system. The new municipal system will consist of two categories that include municipal and mohalla councils in urban areas, while tehsil and village councils in rural areas.

Previously, PM Imran Khan was informed that the purpose of new local government system was real transfer of power to the grassroots in order to ensure better and sustainable delivery.

The prime minister was informed that under the new local government system, capacity of local governments would be improved and transparency in transfer of funds will be ensured.

He was told that a solid procedure would be introduced to counter crimes and cooperation between police and people would be promoted.

The officials informed the prime minister that proposed laws for the new local government system had been prepared, which would be presented in the provincial assembly for approval soon.

The prime minister was also informed about the proposed time-frame for Punchaiati and elections of the local government system.

Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar called on Prime Minister Imran Khan in Lahore and discussed matter of mutual interest, overall political situation and administrative issues of the province.

The chief minister apprised the prime minister about performance of provincial ministers and construction work on shelter homes in the province.