LAHORE: Punjab Finance Minister Makhdoom Hashim Jawan Bakht says the next Provincial Finance Commission (PFC) Award will offer a formula for distribution of resources to the district governments.

In a briefing on the PFC Award in a meeting with Deputy Chairman Planning Commission Muhammad Jahanzeb Khan at finance department on Sunday, Mr Bakht said the local government funds would be increased and the scope of their powers would be expanded to improve the delivery of services.

Additionally, he added, the areas with natural resources would be given a share in royalties and profits while recommendations from local governments would be given priority for development work under the district-level projects.

Mr Bakht, who was assisted by finance secretary Abdullah Sumbal and Planning and Development secretary Imran Sikandar, said the alternative sources of investment would be introduced for provision of civic amenities to the underdeveloped areas. He said accountability would also be ensured along with technical assistance to local agencies for the proper use of resources.

The finance minister added that a notification for the 17-member Local Government Finance Commission had been issued that included government officials, the opposition, local representatives and four technical members. He said there were also plans to set up a specialised secretariat for the finance commission.

Mr Bakht said the Punjab government was introducing plans for poverty alleviation and provision of basic amenities for equitable development in the province.

The minister directed the Planning & Development Board secretary to make the Punjab Statistics Agency more functional and instruct it to provide the relevant statistics to all the departments.

The Planning Commission Deputy chairman also spoke.

Published in Dawn, November 9th, 2020