ISLAMABAD, Aug 5: The interior ministry has directed the Capital Development Authority (CDA) to hand over its health directorate and model school to Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration, a source said on Monday.

The source said the decision had been taken under the government’s down-sizing plan.

However, the CDA, while rejecting the directives, had pleaded that as health and education were the subjects of the local bodies, therefore, both these departments should remain with the CDA.

Under the down-sizing plan, the authority has so far abolished 487 posts. However, the interior ministry had directed the CDA to abolish 741 posts.

The source said the down-sizing plan was prepared by the CDA itself and when it was approved, the authority demanded to reverse the decision.

The source said the health directorate and model school of the CDA would be handed over to the ICT administration before the general elections.

However, the CDA has also rejected a proposal regarding handing over of its land & rehabilitation directorate to the ICT administration, as the directorate has to settle different matters including the disposal of claims of displaced people of various villages in Islamabad.

The authority decided that the directorate of municipal authority would not be merged into sanitation directorate. Similarly, the directorate of administration will not be merged into the directorate of personnel.