LAHORE: Chief Minister Usman Buzdar has said a major reshuffle of bureaucrats has been made on administrative grounds and added that the provincial ministers’ performance is being monitored and a suitable decision will be made at an appropriate time.

Speaking to the media after inaugurating a nutrition clinic at the Punjab Food Authority here on Monday, the chief minister said the ministers facing a lack of coordination by their respective department’s administrative secretaries could discuss the issue with him.

Stating that bureaucrats had been working with those who ruled Punjab for last 30 years, the chief minister stressed that the civil officers should be loyal to the state instead of any party.

“The good officers will continue working in the field and those not delivering will be removed from field postings and lose the right to be part of my team,” he said. The political leadership was supposed to make decisions and bureaucracy should implement the same, he added.

Responding to a question about the issuance of a notification allowing his spokesman Dr Shahbaz Gill to conduct inspections of various departments, Mr Buzdar said his official powers could not be curtailed merely because of a notification.

Read: Bureaucrats wary of assisting Gill in new role

“Chief Minister continues to be the chief minister,” he said and added that it was the prerogative of the chief minister to conduct inspections of the institutions personally or depute a minister or a bureaucrat for the job.

Saying Punjab was a big province of 120 million people, the chief minister said resources were scarce and problems compounding but the government was working day and night to resolve the issues.

Answering a question, Mr Buzdar said the PTI and the PML-Q were enjoying a good working relationship and “there was nothing to worry about”.

About the draft local government law, he said it was complete and powers would be devolved at the grassroots level. He said the local bodies’ representatives would truly be empowered and funds be distributed at the grassroots level for the first time through public representatives to solve people’s problems at their doorstep.

To a question about grant for the Lahore Press Club, the chief minister said the issue would be solved after a meeting to be scheduled shortly.

He said a uniform policy was being formulated with regard to the distribution of advertisements and the issue of payment of advertisements would be solved as well.

The chief minister said strict action would be initiated against those responsible for artificial price hike during Ramazan and added a Ramazan Package to provide relief to the public would be announced. He added the quality of different items to be sold during the fasting month would be ensured.

After visiting the PFA office and a briefing about the authority’s working, the chief minister said that he had directed launching of a strong action against the adulteration mafia across the province.

PPSC: Punjab Public Service Commission chairman retired Lt-Gen Maqsood Ahmed called on the chief minister at his office on Monday and presented a report on the commission’s performance during 2018. He also briefed him about the overall performance and role of the commission.

The chief minister said his government’s mission was to bring out the best talent, having a passion for public service and PPSC needed to play an effective role to achieve this objective. He said merit would prevail in the ‘Naya Pakistan’.

He acknowledged that online interview was a big facility for the candidates and added that every possible cooperation would be extended to the PPSC for making it more active. He said the construction of a new building to house the commission offices at the existing place would be reviewed.

Similarly, he said, the demand for increasing the paper marking fee would be given a sympathetic consideration, besides considering other demands.

PPSC member Syed Ibn-e-Abbas was also present on the occasion.

Published in Dawn, April 16th, 2019