RAWALPINDI, Jan 5: Elected representatives, including Nazims and Naib Nazims, of various union councils in Rawalpindi have accused bureaucrats of creating hurdles in the smooth functioning of the Tehsil government.

They are of the view that these bureaucrats are trying to hold on to their traditional powers and do not want to let elected representatives do something better for the people, as a result of which a common man is not getting any benefit from the newly-introduced local government system.

Dawn has learnt that there has been a rift between the elected representatives and Tehsil Municipal Officer (TMO) Col (Rtd) Najamul Hassan Malik on different issues right from the first day of launching of the local government system.

A number of Nazims, women councillors and members of the minority community, in their separate interviews with Dawn, held the TMO and some of his subordinate officials responsible for the present poor state of affairs. They praised the government for introducing the present local government system, hoping the new system would abolish the traditional hold of bureaucracy on all matters. However, they regretted the bureaucrats were still dominant in the new set-up.

Nasreen Rashid, a lady councillor, said the elected representatives were not aware of their powers and therefore, could not do anything for the people’s welfare. She said the people were daily bringing their problems to the knowledge of the elected representatives, but the councillors and Nazims were unable to solve them. She also held the TMO responsible for creating hurdles in the success of the new system. “He thinks what he says is absolute right and the others know nothing. He does not even listen to us,” she said.

Some lady councillors also complain about the attitude of the male councillors and Nazims and Naib Nazims. They even have objections against being called “elected members on special seats.” They also complain that the share of development funds allocated for them is less than that of male members and that they are not given sufficient time to speak in the assembly session.

The TMO Col (Rtd) Najamul Hassan Malik, when contacted, declined to comment rudely.