March 13, 2002	Wednesday	Zilhaj 28, 1422

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ISLAMABAD, March 12: All the four provincial governments have opposed the idea of release of development funds directly to the district governments as envisaged in the much trumpeted devolution plan of the government, an official source said here on Tuesday.

The federal government was trying to find some via media so that the tehsil councils could claim development funds as a matter of right, Secretary-General Finance Moin Afzal told Dawn.

The provincial governments had given a host of administrative as well as political reasons to substantiate their demand that development funds should not be released to district governments, the source said.

The provincial governments are of the view that the release of funds directly to the district governments would defeat the very idea of achieving uniform growth across the country.

The provinces have suggested that only the non-development funds, including salaries and other administrative expenditures may be released directly to the district government, whereas the development funds should be channelled through the provincial authorities.

The provincial governments have said bickering and rivalries among the political parties and “bradris” at the grassroots level would mar the development process. They have further said: “In our given social milieu the idea of granting financial autonomy to the district governments is hardly workable.”

They pointed out in many parts of the country, district governments have been formed by one party while at Tehsil and Taluqa level some rival groups or parties have assumed power.

Moin Afzal said traditionally the provincial governments had been opposed to the idea of giving financial powers to the district governments.

“The Finance Ministry and the NRB are looking into the matter,” he said, adding at present there was no provision in the constitution for release of funds directly to the district governments.