Punjab govt to soon empower local bodies through new law: Basharat Raja

LAHORE: Minister for Law, Parliamentary Affairs and Local Government Muhammad Basharat Raja on Tuesday said that the Punjab government was committed to empower the local bodies of province by enacting a new powerful law in coming days.

He said this while presiding over a meeting of the chairmen of district councils gathered at the Civil Secretariat from across the province.

The minister said that his party, the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf, was also determined to bring real change at grass root level in accordance with the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan and Punjab Chief Minister Usman Buzdar.

“This is possible only by transferring the powers to the local authorities that could serve the people more effectively and immediately.”

Basharat Raja requested the audience to be active to resolve civic problems of the layman particularly by ensuring cleanliness in their respective areas.

“The Punjab government is going to launch a state of the art programme of cleanliness and tree plantation in almost 1000 villages next month and I wish all local bodies’ heads come ahead to assist the government for its success as it will make our country clean and green”, he added.

The minister regretted over worse condition of encroachments made on state lands in the past and advised the chairmen to remove them letting not resume in future. He assured that the best performers would be awarded with prizes, promotions and other incentives by the government if their people got relief.