LAHORE, April 20: The Punjab ombudsman, Justice Sajjad Ahmed Sipra (retired), has emphasized the need for immediate appointment of Zila Mohtasibs, formation of monitoring and supervisory committees and commissions and assigning the functions of the district magistracy to district government functionaries.

In his annual report for the year 2002 which was submitted to Governor Lt-Gen Khalid Maqbul recently, the ombudsman pointed out that the Punjab Local Government Ordinance 2001 provided for the appointment of Zila Mohtasibs and formation of district monitoring and supervisory committees and commissions in order to ensure proper functioning of the district governments.

The ombudsman pointed out that the divisional administrative setup had been abolished for the establishment of district governments under the devolution plan, but some of its functions were not transferred to the new system. This created problems for the people concerned.

The ombudsman observed in his report that the complaints received by his office had revealed that the attitude of the police towards the public and its performance in respect of the maintenance of law and order had become erratic. Matters covered under local and special laws had been ignored since the dissolution of district magistracy.

The Mohtasib further observed that the public at large was facing scores of problems due to a lack of checks of balances in the functioning of the district government, which in turn was due to delay in assigning the functions of district magistracy to district governments officials.

Highlighting another important problem created by the devolution plan, the ombudsman observed that a sizable number of employees had become surplus as a consequence of the abolition of the divisional tier of management, and required to be adjusted in the new setup to make the district governments effectively functional. It appeared appropriate that staff adjustments be finalised without further delay.

Referring to the prisons department problems, the ombudsman observed that almost all jails in the province were overcrowded. He advised the prisons department to release the prisoners who were involved in petty crimes, arrange regular inspections, take action to improve the condition of inmates and compassionately address the problems of juvenile offenders, minors, women and elderly prisoners.

He also emphasized the need for giving due attention to the complaints of prisoners against the jail authorities, improving the standard of food supplied to prisoners, improving the healthcare facilities in jails and providing basic facilities like electric fans, potable water and lavatories. He advised the jail authorities to seek the assistance of NGOs and philanthropists in this regard.

Discussing the food department problems, the ombudsman observed that it procured all the wheat brought to its centres as a matter of policy but had to dump it in the open without proper cover due to the absence of adequate storage facilities. There was every likelihood of huge quantities of wheat being lost.

He further observed that apart from the problem of storage, difficulties were also experienced in the procurement of the required number of empty bags. The department often asked the growers to arrange the bags themselves with the promise that empty bags would be returned or paid for. The department had to face litigation when such commitments were not honoured. He recommended provision of empty bags to farmers in advance.

Referring to another serious problem, the ombudsman pointed out that growers often complained that they had to wait in procurement centres for days before the wheat was unloaded. This caused inconvenience to the farmers. He advised the department to streamline the procurement procedure to prevent corrupt practices at the local level.

The ombudsman also stressed the need for checking malpractice in admissions to the universities. He recommended formulation of a uniform admission policy for the universities, advertising of the admission schedule and merit lists and simultaneous announcement of results and award of degrees for ensuring transparency at all levels.