‘Power, functions of LG representatives stand defined’

PESHAWAR: CM Pervez Khattak on Thursday said that heads of the district and tehsil governments would be removed from offices in case of failure to approve budgets from their respective councils.
Talking to district and tehsil councillors from Manshera at the CM’s House, he said that amendment would be introduced in the Local Government Act (LGA) 2013 for disqualification of nazims for failing to pass the annual budget from their councils. He said it was imperative for the heads of district and tehsil councils to have a sound understanding of the rules and procedures, adding that powers and functions had been determined and defined in the LGA and LG Rules of Business. He clarified that adherence to the provincial government policies would be mandatory for nazims while dealing with the affairs of the devolved departments, specially health and education sectors.
He said that ignoring the policies and rules in such matters would cause initiation of disciplinary action under the rules against nazims. He hinted at releasing additional grants to local governments on need basis under the proposed Finance Commission to be set up soon.