PESHAWAR, May 4: A meeting chaired by NWFP Minister for Local Government and Rural Development Sardar Mohammad Idrees here on Friday reviewed progress on the establishment of a district cadre service.

All provincial departments were directed in the meeting to submit district cadre plans to the DCOs concerned within next quarter so that a formal announcement of the creation of district cadre could be made in the budget.

The meeting decided to bring the services of grade-1 to 4 employees of the provincial government at the disposal of district governments. It was also decided to transfer all employees of up to grade-10 to the EDOs concerned and that of grade-11 to 15 to the DCOs.

The minister noted with concern that most of the provincial departments had failed to submit district cadre plans which were being created under the directives and conditionalities of the Local Govt Ordinance, National Reconstruction Bureau and international financial institutions.

The minister asked the authorities concerned to remove financial and administrative obstacles faced by various departments in the creation of the district cadre service.

The minister took strong exception to the absence of certain officials from the meeting and asked them to ensure their participation in such important meetings.

He said Chief Minister Akram Khan Durrani had transferred all necessary resources and powers to the new LG system, although the province was facing a lot of financial problems.

Mr Idrees said the provincial government wanted progress in the cadre plans and would not tolerate any lethargy on the part of government officials.—PPI