Despite the passage of more than two years, Sindh Local Government department failed to establish bodies of "Musalihat Anjuman" at Union Council level in the light of Sindh Peoples Local Government Ordinance (SPLGO) 2012, it was learnt on Tuesday.
According to Chapter XI of SPLGO 2012, Musalihat Anjumans would have been constituted in every Union Council (UC), adding that Anjuman would be consisting of a panel of three Musaleheen (Conciliators) one of whom shall be its convenor, to be selected by the Insaf Committee of the Union Council, within thirty days after its election, from amongst the residents of the Union who are publicly known to be persons of integrity and good judgement.
Provided that Union Mayor, Deputy Union Mayor or the members of the Union Council may not be appointed as Musaleheen (Conciliators). Any casual vacancy in the panel of Musaleheen shall be filled by Insaf Committee, as soon as practicable after occurrence thereof.
The Musaleheen shall be selected for the term of the UC or until replaced earlier. Provided that Musaleheen shall be eligible for re-selection. Wherein the opinion of Insaf Committee, a Musleh (Conciliator) is accused of consistent partiality and malpractices in performance of his functions, the Insaf Committee may, subject to notice to show cause, remove such Musleh and select another Musleh in his place.
The Union Chairman, members of the Insaf Committee and Musaleheen shall use their good offices to achieve the amicable settlement of disputes amongst the people in UC through mediation, conciliation and arbitration, whether or not any proceedings have been instituted in a court of law in respect of such disputes:
Provided that such settlement shall be carried out in such cases where all parties to the dispute agree there to and no fee shall be charged for such settlement. Provided further that in bringing parties to a dispute to an amicable settlement, Musalihat Anjuman shall have regard to the provisions of section 345 of the Code of Criminal Procedure (Act V of 1898), Hudood laws and all other laws for the time being in force where under certain offences are not compoundable.
Wherein a dispute the parties request for appointment of a person other than the Musaleheen in the panel referred to in section 102 in a particular case as a Musleh, the Union Mayor may, in consultation with the Insaf Committee, appoint such person as Musleh (Conciliator) for that case.
The convenor of Anjuman selected under Section 102 shall convene meetings of the Anjuman as necessary and at such place or places in the Union Council as he considers appropriate; and conduct the proceedings in an informal manner as he considers with the object to bring an amicable settlement between the parties.