LAHORE: Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has said that the Punjab government is finalizing arrangements for local bodies' elections with a view to delegate powers at the grassroots level which will ensure redressal of public complaints.

While chairing a meeting to review the arrangements for the local bodies' elections at the CM office on Sunday, the chief minister expressed indignation over unsatisfactory situation in some areas of the province and the slothfulness of local bodies' staffers. "Those who do not perform have no right to remain on the seat," he said and urged the local government staff to not display laxity in solving public complaints.

He said that funds for the local government have been restored across Punjab which will be helpful in starting a new era of development at the grassroots level. The CM directed to accelerate the process of promotion of the local bodies' sub-engineers as well as expedite the process of recruitment on the vacant posts of buildings inspectors at the earliest.

After learning that the 'Baldia App', which was developed to lodge online complaints relating to union councils, reached over 200,000 hits, Buzdar said it was a good omen. He added that six services including birth, marriage etc are being provided through this app and people can lodge their complaints against the representatives of the local bodies institutions by using it. He directed that the facility of filling of forms should be provided to illiterate people in the local bodies offices.

The Secretary Local Government briefed the participants of the meeting about the preparations of the elections and other affairs. Provincial Minister for Law Raja Basharat, Chairman P&D, secretaries of finance, law, local government departments, principal secretary to CM and others were also present on this occasion.

Meanwhile, Advisor to the Prime Minister Dr Shehbaz Gill called on Punjab CM Usman Buzdar at his office on Sunday and discussed the two-year performance of the Punjab government, publicity and problems of the media workers.

According to a statement issued after the meeting, Dr Gill said that CM Usman Buzdar and his team will soon share their two years performance with the Islamabad-based journalists.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020