The abrogation of the local bodies system and devolution of the federal subjects has brought the Sindh Planning and Development (P&D) department under severe work burden, it was learnt on Tuesday. After the promulgation of an Ordinance regarding revival of Sindh Local Government System (SLGS) 1979, the CDGK and other district governments were abolished.
Under the Local Government Ordinance 2001, major functions of 12 departments including Education, Health, Agriculture, Local Government, Works and Services, Social Welfare, Technical Education and others had been devolved to district governments. Sindh government was used to allocate funds for CDGK and other district governments for development purpose under the 2001 Ordinance. The CDGK and all other district governments had established District Development Committees (DDCs) with the authority of approving development schemes up to Rs 20 million. While all the provincial departments had also their Departmental Development Working Parties (DDWPs) with the authority of approving development schemes up to Rs 60 million.
Sources said that the role of DDCs also came to an end with the abrogation of district governments, and now onwards all schemes of the district councils would be sent to the concerned departments and P&D. Rs 20 billion funds allocated by the Sindh government for the District Development Programme (DDP) in the FY12 budget, would be approved and monitored by the P&D, sources added. While, the allocation of Rs 26,321.955 million for the TMAs and all towns of Karachi would also go to the concerned departments and PDWP of P&D for the final approval, sources said.
Earlier, PDWP was authorised to approve only those schemes which were beyond the authority of DDCs and DDWPs. While the technical committees of P&D had also a limited role but now more schemes would come to this forum for technical assistance, they said. An official told Business Recorder that the Sindh government was increasing the work burden on P&D without enhancing its capacity and workforce.
He said that the functions of P&D had already increased with the devolution of 17 federal subjects and now with the addition of district governments, its burden had multiplied. Despite bulk increase in the functions of P&D, the Sindh government had not taken serious efforts to enhance its capacity and workforce, sources told. Sources informed that there were only 15 Chiefs who were looking after the development schemes of almost every sector. Many officers/employees of P&D were of the view that Sindh government should increase workforce and announce allowances for the current employees to run the department efficiently.