ISLAMABAD, Feb 6: Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani discussed with his Adviser on Inter-Provincial Coordination, Senator Raza Rabbani, on Sunday the implementation of the 18th Amendment. According to official sources, the issue of the provinces’ refusal to accommodate employees of the devolved ministries came under discussion.

The adviser informed the prime minister that the commission would resume its meeting on Monday to implement the second phase of the devolution plan under which the ministries of social welfare and special education, education, livestock and dairy development, culture and tourism would be transferred to the provinces by Feb 28.

Provincial governments want the federal government to bear the financial liabilities of the employees who opt to be transferred along with the ministries.

Senator Rabbani, who is chairman of the 18th Amendment Implementation Commission, has repeatedly made it clear that every clause of the Constitution shall be implemented in letter and spirit and the commission has decided that no employee of the devolved ministries will be sacked.

The prime minister reassured Senator Rabbani of his full support in carrying out the work on schedule and said any problem could be solved in consultation with the chief ministers.