The government of NWFP has sent recommendations to National Reconstruction Bureau (NRB) for holding direct elections of district nazims in next local bodies polls to prevent corruption and use of money in the grassroots level election process in the country.
Speaking in 'Guest Hour' programme of Peshawar Press Club (PPC), NWFP Minister for Local Government and Rural Development, Sardar Mohammad Idrees said that provincial and district governments in the province enjoy unprecedented friendly relations and misunderstandings and grievances have been resolved.
He said that Local Government Commission in the province is effectively performing its role and the annual report of all district governments would be presented to Chief Minister in the current month.
He said that provincial government is giving financial autonomy to local governments, saying that earlier, they were even not in position to pay salaries to their employees, but now they have been given autonomy in such matters.
In response to a question, the minister said they have received complaints against a number of district nazims and impartial inquiry had been conducted in this regard. The district nazim against whom they received complaints were including Charsadda, Swabi, Tank and some others. They have been directed to give equal treatment of all union councils.
Sardar Idrees said that district governments have been given the control over the prices of edibles and provincial government in light of the federal budget is considering for giving magistrate powers to Tehsil Municipal Officers (TMOs) in the province to keep vigilance on the prices of the house hold edible items in bazaars.
To another query, he said that killing of Nawab Akbar Bugti would have negative repercussions on the country politics, saying that the MMA provincial government has condemned and regretted the death of the politician at the hands of security forces.
He said developmental funds were being issued to all the district and tehsil governments in accordance with provincial finance commission formula without any discrimination.