LAHORE, Dec 16: Certain changes would be made in the local government law to create linkages between the provincial and the district governments, Punjab Chief Minister Chaudhry Pervaiz Elahi said on Monday.

He was speaking to legislators from different districts of the province here at the Chief Minister’s secretariat.

He said the devolution of power plan, under which district governments were created by the former military regime last year, would be further strengthened to make it more responsive to the wishes and aspirations of the people.

The government would not let anyone violate merit in any sphere of life. “We will make the official, state machinery subordinate to the public aspirations. Those who do not come up to the expectations of the people would be dealt with an iron hand.”

Pervaiz Elahi informed the legislators that his government would amend several existing laws and introduce new ones to bring about structural changes in the system. He also impressed upon them to play their due role in this exercise.

Meanwhile, the chief minister directed the provincial administration to take steps for the construction of cold storages at different airports for the export of farms produce.

According to a handout, he was presiding over a meeting held here to finalize measures for the uplift of agriculture sector, including export of fruit, vegetables and flowers and restructuring of research system of agriculture and WTO laws.

The chief minister said that emergent measures should be made for the construction of cold storage at the Multan airport.

He also directed to give top priority to the export of flowers, besides fruit and vegetables.

He said that the government would provide facilities and incentives for the exporters. He hoped that through such measures, the country would earn huge foreign exchange in this regard.

About the negative aspects of the WTO, the chief minister assured that the government would not leave the farmers community unattended in this regard.

Pervaiz Elahi directed the authorities concerned to establish a cell in the P&D Department so that recommendations be prepared for evolving a strategy in this regard after reviewing WTO laws.

Expressing grave concern over research mechanism in the agriculture sector, the chief minister said that the University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, could not play its due role in research fields.

The government has decided to restructure agriculture research system in consultation with scientists, agrarians, teachers and farmers. Speaking at the meeting agriculturist and MNA Jahangir Tareen underlined the need for taking the provinces into confidence while formulating polices for the export of agricultural commodities.