Sindh Minister for Local Government Nasir Hussain Shah has said that he had served as District Nazim Sukkur for two consecutive terms and added that municipal functions had never been the responsibility of Nazims. “It has always remained the responsibility of towns.”
Nasir Shah added he was in favour of strengthening and empowering local councils more.He was chairing the Sindh Cabinet’s Sub- Committee meeting on Devolution at Click office on Saturday. Minister for Education Saeed Ghani and Adviser to Chief Minister Sindh on Law Barrister Murtaza Wahab also attended the meeting. Besides, Secretary Local Government Najam Ahmed Shah, Administrator KMC Laeeq Ahmed and others also present in the meeting.
Sindh Minister for Local Government Nasir Hussain Shah further said that Sindh government was interested in strengthening and empowerment of local governments and seriously considering different options. He added that legislation was underway for devolution of functions of water board, building control authority and solid waste management on regional level.
He said that they have to prepare comprehensive recommendations on the devolution of powers on which final decision would be taken at the highest forum.
On the occasion, Saeed Ghani said that dispute was on the issue of authority and financial independence of district governments. He said that Sindh government was transferring control of property tax collection to the district government.
He was of view that they have to prepare comprehensive draft on which consultation with other political parties would be held, besides the sessions of public hearing on the devolution would also be conducted.
Murtaza Wahab suggested that they should not go for new experience on devolution; instead existing laws should be improved. “ After every ten year, new laws comes which create confusion about the responsibilities of different local government agencies,” he added.
The Sub-committee on devolution thoroughly reviewed the 1979 act, SLGO 2001 and SLGO 2013. The meeting also reviewed Kamal Azfar’s local government model in details.
