MANSEHRA: Representatives of local bodies on Monday welcomed the proposed amendments to the Local Governments Act, 2013, saying the move will strengthen the grassroots level system of governance in the province.

“Having denied development funds, honorariums, and other incentives for the last two years, we hope that the changes proposed by the government to the LG law will strengthen the system by ensuring the release of funds,” president of Chairmen Local Governments Ittehad Malik Mumtaz told reporters here.

Accompanied by office-bearers of the Ittehad, Mr Mumtaz said successive governments “abandoned” the LG system by depriving its representatives of powers and funds promised by the law.

He said the LG members in the province, totaling over 27,000, anxiously awaited changes to the LG law.

“We will continue fighting for our rights,” he said.

The Ittehad chairman said the group thought about mass resignation but changed its mind after consulting other bodies.

“Quitting en masse is no solution to our problems, as people in the province will be deprived of civic services and development at the grassroots level,” he said.

General secretary of the Ittehad Basharat Ali Swati said the provincial body, in consultation with the divisional bodies, decided to take to the streets if their demands were not met by May 19. — Correspondent

“The government has announced it will earmark funds in the next budget and empower the LG system,” he said.

Mr Swati also demanded that the government extend the tenure of local bodies as the system remained at a standstill since its inception in the province two years ago.

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2024