LAKKI MARWAT: Speakers at workshop here on Tuesday said that main objective of devolution of powers and setting up local government system was to ensure people’s participation in decision making process to achieve the goal of sustainable development.

The workshop was organised by local government department in collaboration with Sub National Governance (SNG) Programme and Devolution Trust for Community Empowerment (DTCE).

Additional assistant commissioner inaugurated the training session where Dr Fazl Mabood and Waqar Khan imparted training to the participants on local government law and rules of business, composition and functions of provincial finance and local government commissions.

They also shed light on development planning guidelines and said that a decentralised and democratic development planning responded to people’s needs and aspirations.

“People’s involvement in decision making helps to develop a sense of ownership among them,” the speakers said.

Councillors: The youth councillors of the district have asked the government to declare their involvement mandatory in youth-related projects.

In a meeting held here on Tuesday, they said that they could not play effective role in resolving the problems of local youth as the powers had not be devolved to grassroots level in real sense.

They said that government should enable the councillors to perform their duty and functions as per rules of business by devolving powers to grassroots level in real sense. They asked the government to direct quarters concerned to distribute sports items and utilise funds meant for promotion of sports with the consultation of youth councillors.

They stressed the need for close coordination between councillors and heads of the devolved departments to resolve the problems faced by youth of the district.

They said that there was dire need to generate livelihood opportunities for youth at local level and overcome unemployment.

The councillors also demanded representation in the committees, formed by education department to ensure security of schools, availability of basic facilities and promotion of education in the area.

Published in Dawn, March 16th, 2016