PESHAWAR, May 31: The government of NWFP has  formally constituted the provincial local government commission to conduct annual and special inspections of the local governments and submit reports to the chief executive of the province about the conduct of the bodies.

The commission, on its own can also initiate an inquiry on its own or through district government into any matter concerning a local government, undertake special audit of any local government, resolve dispute between any department of the government and district government or between two district governments. This can also be undertaken whenever directed so by the provincial chief executive. If the commission fails to settle the dispute, the aggrieved party may move the provincial chief for its resolution.

Similarly, the commission shall also inquire into the matters referred to it by the district coordination officer and by the government and give its decision or, may report to the competent authority and submit to the provincial chief executive an annual report on the overall performance of the district and tehsil local governments.

The body is headed by the provincial minister for local government and rural development Athar Minnallah with Islam Bahadur Khan, Shahnaz Latif, Dr Nasiruddin Azam Khan and Ashfaq Ahmad as its members. Secretary local government and rural development Baz Mohammad Khattak will act as secretary.

First meeting of the commission was held here on Friday under the chairmanship of NWFP minister for local government and rural development Athar Minnallah at his office in Peshawar attended by its members.

The meeting thoroughly debated the local government commission (conduct of business) draft rules 2002 and reviewed its various clauses. Members were informed that they could also incorporate their proposals and suggestion with a special reference to make the performance of the commission  more effective.

Earlier, the minister briefed the commission’s  members regarding the local government system, its function, structure and also its different tiers.