April 2, 2002	Tuesday	Muharram 18,1423

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LAHORE, April 1: Axing of at least 25 per cent staff of all government departments is being planned at present in view of the devolution of powers at district level.

There are 34 administrative departments in the Punjab and sources said here on Monday they would most likely be retained to provide a policy guideline to district governments which have 12 departments at local level according to the devolution plan.

They said the number of departments would not be reduced as there were also no chances of their merger into each other.

“The forest department is a specialized agency and how can it advise on matters of the agriculture department if they are merged,” they said, adding the ultimate aim of the exercise was to make the departments leaner, less expensive and efficient.

They said the departments would be trimmed on their directional level like the offices of the chief engineer of the buildings department and director health of the health department. There were four chief engineers in the buildings department whereas “we require only two after the devolution of its powers at district level,” they said.

The sources said functions of some departments too would be privatized to reduce their burden. The areas to be privatized might include environment protection department’s environment certification or vehicle fitness certificates, and industries department’s boiler examinations.

“At the moment there is no policy on how to dispose of the 25 per cent staff to be declared surplus during the process. But they would either be given a golden handshake, retired or absorbed where necessary,” they said.