LAHORE: The Punjab Civil Administration Ordinance, 2016 was promulgated on Saturday, restoring after 15 years the office of deputy commissioner (DC) abolished upon the introduction of Gen Musharraf’s district government based devolution plan in 2001.

The ordinance also mentions the posts of divisional commissioner, additional commissioner, and assistant commissioner (AC) though they are already functioning under the Revenue Act.

The new law gives much authority to these officers. Significantly it has made DCs a partner of the independent DPOs in handling law and order. It promises more provincial powers to the new administrative officers, saying that the province may also place such of its employees, excluding those of police department and local governments, under the administrative control of the commissioner or DC.

The DC shall maintain district account for development, improvement of public services in general, relief in emergencies. The law creates the posts of commissioners for divisions, deputy commissioners (DCs) for districts and ACs for tehsils.

A DC shall supervise and monitor the discharge of duties by the AC in the district, coordinate the work of all offices and public facilities in the district for purposes of integrated development, efficient use of public resources and effective service delivery.

He will support and facilitate the offices and public facilities in the district, ensure that the standards set by the government in respect of a public facility are fully observed, and supervise and coordinate the implementation of the policies, instructions and guidelines of the government.

The law provides for the creation of one or more additional commissioners under divisional commissioner in each division and one or more (ADC) in each district. An ADC or an AC shall serve under the general supervision and control of the deputy commissioner.

The job of a commissioner shall be to keep the government informed on all important matters relating to the divisional administration. A DC shall report matters under his command to the commissioner and an AC to the DC. A head of office in the district shall keep the DC informed on all important matters relating to that office.

The law allows formation of divisional, district or tehsil coordination committees consisting of such heads of local governments, MNAs, MPAs, heads of division, district and tehsil administrations and police to ensure good governance, effective service delivery, public welfare and better coordination through democratic control and oversight. There is no mention who will head the committees.

On a request by a head of office or head of a local government, the DC and the AC shall extend such assistance and support as may be necessary in the circumstances. They will review the quality, standard and efficacy of public facilities in the district.

If the DC finds any public service substandard, he may require the officer in charge to improve the quality, standard and efficacy. In case of non-compliance, the DC through commissioner shall seek provincial government action (misconduct) against the official.

The Commissioner, DC, AC or officers subordinate to them may, in consultation with the respective head of the local government, exercise powers of relief commissioner in case of calamities. All district, divisional and local offices assist them.

The commissioner or the DC may call for the record of any case from any office to get satisfied as to the propriety or legality of any action taken or proposed to be taken, and pass appropriate directions. They may also inspect any office or public facility and give instructions.

Police-DC relation: The DC on his own, or on the request of the head of a local government or the DPO may convene a meeting for maintaining public order and public safety and safeguarding public or private properties in the district. And the decisions taken in the meeting shall be executed by all concerned accordingly.

In case of any unforeseen or sudden situation, the DC and the DPO shall jointly take appropriate action to address the situation. This clause is also applicable to the commissioner and AC.

DC will allow public meeting, procession, assembly or gathering in consultation with DPO. The DC shall oversee the use of all public properties in the district, and direct for their maintenance and protection.

On the requisition from the AC or DC or on receipt of a request for police assistance from any head of office, local government, statutory body or body or corporation owned, set up or controlled by the provincial or federal government in relation to discharge of official duties, the DPO shall provide such police assistance as may be necessary.

The government may constitute divisional Grievance Redress Board to inquire into serious cases of maladministration, corruption and corrupt practices, violation of law, dereliction of duty and any other act or omission detrimental to the public interest by the employees of the Government and the employees and elected representatives of a local government in the prescribed manner.

Meanwhile, senior government officials were planning to notify the new offices in place of the posts of DCOs and their staff which cease to exist in view of the notification of the first sitting of the new local councils on Monday (January 2).

The provincial finance department has already notified the new posts.

Published in Dawn, January 1st, 2017