PESHAWAR, Oct 24: The National Reconstruction Bureau has chalked out amendments to the local bodies system for clipping powers of nazims and delegating maximum authority to the civil bureaucracy.

The NRB, which authored the local bodies system in 2001, sent a draft of the proposed reform package amending the Local Government Ordinance of 2001 and the Police Order of 2002 to four chief ministers, an official told Dawn on Friday.

In addition, a committee headed by the secretary of ministry of local government, is compiling recommendations for the proposed changes.

The committee comprises four secretaries of the same portfolio as its members.

The draft reform package suggests holding of the next local bodies elections on the party basis besides conducting direct elections on the basis of adult franchise to the offices of district nazim, tehsil nazim and town nazim.

Currently, district councils and tehsil councils act as electoral college for their respective nazims and naib nazim, which many believe encourages horse trading and floor crossing.

A number of major powers and functions of nazims have been proposed to be withdrawn by amending section 18 of the LGO-2001 and delegating it to the DCOs.

The nazim, as per the proposed package, will have no concern with functions relating to the law and order, maintenance of administrative and financial discipline in the district government, relief activities in natural calamities and establishing and supervising internal audit office.

Through a proposed addition to the LGO-2001, nazims will be responsible for ensuring that the district government offices attend observations pointed out in the internal audit report and submit a performance report about development targets achieved in the year to the chief executive of the province.

The aforementioned powers and functions, which have been proposed to be withdrawn from nazims, are delegated to DCOs, virtually making them as head of the district administration.

As per the proposed package, in addition to the general administration, law and order, the DCO will supervise the DPO in handling a crisis situation and maintaining peace in the district.

Likewise, almost similar powers and functions of tehsil and town nazims, given in the LGO-2001 have also been proposed to be withdrawn and delegated to tehsil and municipal officers, making the post more lucrative for the government functionaries.

The NRB new package recommends the revival of executive magistracy, as it said the government may appoint executive magistrates in each district in accordance with the provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure, 1898.