PESHAWAR, Jan 4: In order to ensure transparency in its official proceedings the NWFP government plans to establish district information centres throughout the province.

This was disclosed by the NWFP minister for finance, Farid Rehman, while talking to a delegation of Swiss Development Corporation (SDC) led by its adviser Professor Walter, who called on him at the civil secretariat, Peshawar, on Friday.

Additional chief secretary NWFP, secretary local government NWFP, and other concerned officers were also present on the occasion.

The SDC under the Essential Institutional Reforms Operations Programme (EIROP) will provide $4.5 million in assistance to the province to support devolution plan, and to strengthen the planning and development department, NWFP.

The finance minister told the delegation that under the EIROP, a provincial website was being prepared which will contain complete data regarding the geo-political and administrative setup of the province, including Fata, and information about the workings of the various departments of the provincial government. He added that the same facility would be extended to the district level as well.

Farid Rehman, talking to the delegation, further informed that under a wide-ranging networking system, the provincial, district, and tehsil-level governments would be interlined ensuring the quick disposal of official work.

Also, the minister added that the government would organize training courses for the elected representatives and the officials of the new district governments.

The Swiss delegation lauded the provincial government’s efforts for the successful implementation of the devolution plan and assured all possible financial and technical assistance to the province.