Punjab raises deputies’ seats in LGs

Introduces ordinance to rationalise representation
of marginalised sections; seats of peasants,
workers, technocrats also increased

LAHORE: The Punjab government has increased the number of vice chairmen, deputy mayors, technocrat, peasant and worker members by introducing amendments in the Punjab Local Government Act 2013 through Punjab Local Government (Amendment) Ordinance 2016, The News has learnt.

Sources in the provincial government said the amendments have been introduced to empower the government to divide the Metropolitan Corporation and Municipal Corporations into zones for effective service delivery as well as rationalising the representation of the marginalised segments of the society in the local governments by increasing the number of workers, peasants, technocrat members, deputy mayors and vice chairmen.

Previously a district council having population of more than one million would have two vice chairmen and one additional vice chairman for each one million additional population. After the amendment a district council with more than 500,000 inhabitants would have two vice chairmen and one additional vice chairman for each 500,000 additional population.

Earlier the number of peasant workers was not exceeding three members. Now there would at least two members up to 10 from the workers category. Similarly before the amendment, number of technocrat member was one which has been increased from minimum two to maximum 10 on the basis of number of union councils of a district council.

Before the amendment, a municipal corporation having population of more than one million would have two deputy mayors and one additional deputy mayor for each one million of additional population. Now a municipal corporation having population up to one million shall have two deputy mayors, a municipal corporation having population more than one million shall have four deputy mayors and two additional deputy mayors for each 500,000 additional population.

Previously there were two worker members. Now the number of worker members would be minimum two up to 10 on the basis of the number of union council in a municipal corporation.

Moreover earlier the number of technocrat members was two. After the amendment, minimum number of technocrat members shall be two up to 10 on the basis of number of union council in a municipal corporation.

For the metropolitan corporation, number of deputy mayors has been increased from nine to 13, from five worker members to 10 worker members and from three technocrat members to 10 technocrat members.

In the absence of mayor or chairman, the deputy mayor or vice chairman who is most senior in age would preside over the meeting. Mayor of a metropolitan or municipal corporation and chairman of a district council would be the executive head of his/her respective metropolitan, municipal corporation and district council. However the deputy mayor or vice chairman, who is most senior in age, would perform the functions of mayor or chairman in absence of the mayor or chairman.