ISLAMABAD Feb 2: The federal population welfare department along with the staff will be handed over to the respective provinces with effect from April this year.

This decision was taken at the second advisory board meeting of the department on Friday. It was presided over by Population Welfare and Women Development Minister Dr Attiya Inayatullah.

Devolution of the population welfare to the districts level aims at reducing poverty and population growth to 1.3 percent in 10 years, from existing 2.1 percent. Attempt in this regard would cost Rs72.00 billion till 2012.

The meeting reviewed proposed restructuring of the population welfare plan, and considered various steps taken to democratise the population welfare by making NATPOW autonomous and more efficient.

The minister told newsmen that a population welfare policy had been devised first time in last 40 years to help cut the population growth ratio and alleviate the poverty.

She said that as part of the devolution plan, the ministry of population welfare would transfer all fiscal and administrative powers to the provinces. All necessary arrangements including amendments in 1983 ordinance had been made, she added.

The National Population Policy drafted through a consultative process would be submitted to the cabinet for approval.