29 October 2004	Friday	14 Ramazan 1425

PESHAWAR, Oct 28: Under the proposed devolution plan, the NWFP governor's secretariat has finalized the restructuring of four departments in the Federally Administered Tribal Area (Fata).

A meeting, presided over by the Governor Syed Iftikhar Hussain Shah here on Thursday gave final touches to the restructuring of the departments in the tribal region, according to a hand out.

The meeting discussed proposals regarding forests, irrigation, minerals and industries and technical education departments. Under the devolution plan, maximum power, responsibilities and decision-making authorities would be devolved down to the Agency level.

It said that the restructuring plan would not only improve the overall performance of the government machinery but would also facilitate the process of development as well as resolution of people's problems.

The governor directed that the staff strength at the head offices level should be kept minimum and the field offices be strengthened to the desired level in the implementation on devolution process.

However, the governor said that no one should be made jobless in this process rather the offices at Agency level must be furthered strengthened by transferring more staff. Similarly, he remarked, as a result of devolution of powers the entire process should be cost-effective, that must be visible on ground as well.

The governor also directed the activation of planning cell at agency level and said that the preparation of PC-1 would be done at agency level for which services of consultants should be hired so as delay in their preparation could be avoided.