Khosa defends creation of commissioner's office

Punjab Local Government and Community Development Minister, Sardar Dost Mohammad Khosa has said that the office of the divisional commissioner has been created to improve co-ordination between the provincial and district governments. He was talking to newsmen on Wednesday, after the conclusion of Tehsil Municipal Officers' conference.
Khosa said that the provincial government has adopted legal course of action in the creation of commissioner's office at divisional level. 'The DCO is the representative of district government. The provincial government will co-ordinate with the district governments in a better way through its representative, divisional commissioner,' he added.
He also said that gross violation of rules and embezzlement has been traced in the local governments during especial audit and Punjab government would forward cases of embezzlement of funds and violation of rules in the local governments to the Local Government Commission for further proceedings.
'Serious action would be taken against responsible officials after giving opportunity to defend their positions. The previous government used local governments for its own motive. Punjab government has forwarded its recommendations to the Federal government for making local governments more vibrant and efficient institutions so as to provide relief to the common man,' Punjab Minister added.
While addressing the conference, he urged the TMOs to give attention to their professional responsibilities and avoid indulging in politics. Further, he said no transfer and posting would be made in future and the TMOs should avoid using political influence to get posting of their choice. Khosa said that Punjab government would not compromise on performance and negligent while stern action would be taken against irresponsible officials.
He directed the TMOs to give especial attention to improve sanitation conditions and removal of encroachments in their respective jurisdictions. Punjab Minister further said that he and the concerned officials would start surprise inspections of different areas in the province from the coming week to check the performance of local governments.
'Stringent action would be taken against the negligent officers of local governments,' he added. The Secretary, Local Governments, Sohail Amer, Member LG Commission, Ijaz Maharvi, Anwaar Tur, Sajid Siddique and Saleem Nasir also addressed the conference.